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Saar S, Scheuerman O, Zuabi T, Amarilyo G, Abu M, Goldberg L, Goldberg B, Shirman N, Vardi Y, Pasternak Y, Levinsky Y. Clinical implications of extremely elevated C-reactive protein among febrile immunocompetent children. Acta Paediatr 2024; 113:531-536. [PMID: 38102896 DOI: 10.1111/apa.17060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
AIM To identify the various diagnoses associated with extremely elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (>30 mg/dL) among immunocompetent children and to evaluate its clinical implications during emergency department (ED) workup and hospital management. METHODS Children (3 months-18 years) with fever in ED were included, retrospectively. The cohort was divided into two groups-'extremely elevated CRP' (>30 mg/dL) and 'highly elevated CRP' (15-30 mg/dL). RESULTS Included were 1173 patients with CRP 15-30 mg/dL and 221 with CRP > 30 mg/dL. Bacterial infection was more prevalent among the extremely elevated CRP group (94.1% vs. 78.5%, respectively, p = 0.002). Specifically, bacterial pneumonia (52%), cellulitis (7.2%) and sepsis (4.1%) were more prevalent among this group. More of these patients were reported as 'Ill appearing' [78 (35.3%) vs. 166 (17.4%), p < 0.001]. They were more often treated with fluids [33 (14.9%) vs. 50 (5.3%), p < 0.001] and a higher portion of them required admission to an intensive care unit [11 (5.0%) vs. 16 (1.7%), p = 0.007]. CONCLUSION Febrile children with extremely elevated CRP showed greater illness severity (haemodynamic instability, PICU admissions), thus careful clinical attention is desirable in these cases. More than half of them had bacterial pneumonia, which reinforces the importance of relevant investigation when diagnosis is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Saar
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Oded Scheuerman
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tarek Zuabi
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gil Amarilyo
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Mor Abu
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lotem Goldberg
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bar Goldberg
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nina Shirman
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Vardi
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yehonatan Pasternak
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Pediatrics C, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Kipper Institute of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
| | - Yoel Levinsky
- Department of Pediatrics B, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
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Kakavandi S, Hajikhani B, Azizi P, Aziziyan F, Nabi-Afjadi M, Farani MR, Zalpoor H, Azarian M, Saadi MI, Gharesi-Fard B, Terpos E, Zare I, Motamedifar M. COVID-19 in patients with anemia and haematological malignancies: risk factors, clinical guidelines, and emerging therapeutic approaches. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:126. [PMID: 38360719 PMCID: PMC10868124 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01316-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Extensive research in countries with high sociodemographic indices (SDIs) to date has shown that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be directly associated with more severe outcomes among patients living with haematological disorders and malignancies (HDMs). Because individuals with moderate to severe immunodeficiency are likely to undergo persistent infections, shed virus particles for prolonged periods, and lack an inflammatory or abortive phase, this represents an overall risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. In cases suffering from HDMs, further investigation is needed to achieve a better understanding of triviruses and a group of related variants in patients with anemia and HDMs, as well as their treatment through vaccines, drugs, and other methods. Against this background, the present study aimed to delineate the relationship between HDMs and the novel COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Besides, effective treatment options for HDM cases were further explored to address this epidemic and its variants. Therefore, learning about how COVID-19 manifests in these patients, along with exploiting the most appropriate treatments, may lead to the development of treatment and care strategies by clinicians and researchers to help patients recover faster. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareh Kakavandi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahareh Hajikhani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paniz Azizi
- Psychological and Brain Science Departments, Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Fatemeh Aziziyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Ramezani Farani
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Nano Bio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Azarian
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Iman Zare
- Research and Development Department, Sina Medical Biochemistry Technologies Co., Ltd., Shiraz, 7178795844, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Motamedifar
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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New Iron Metabolic Pathways and Chelation Targeting Strategies Affecting the Treatment of All Types and Stages of Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213990. [PMID: 36430469 PMCID: PMC9696688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is new and increasing evidence from in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies implicating the pivotal role of iron and associated metabolic pathways in the initiation, progression and development of cancer and in cancer metastasis. New metabolic and toxicity mechanisms and pathways, as well as genomic, transcription and other factors, have been linked to cancer and many are related to iron. Accordingly, a number of new targets for iron chelators have been identified and characterized in new anticancer strategies, in addition to the classical restriction of/reduction in iron supply, the inhibition of transferrin iron delivery, the inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase in DNA synthesis and high antioxidant potential. The new targets include the removal of excess iron from iron-laden macrophages, which affects anticancer activity; the modulation of ferroptosis; ferritin iron removal and the control of hyperferritinemia; the inhibition of hypoxia related to the role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF); modulation of the function of new molecular species such as STEAP4 metalloreductase and the metastasis suppressor N-MYC downstream-regulated gene-1 (NDRG1); modulation of the metabolic pathways of oxidative stress damage affecting mitochondrial function, etc. Many of these new, but also previously known associated iron metabolic pathways appear to affect all stages of cancer, as well as metastasis and drug resistance. Iron-chelating drugs and especially deferiprone (L1), has been shown in many recent studies to fulfill the role of multi-target anticancer drug linked to the above and also other iron targets, and has been proposed for phase II trials in cancer patients. In contrast, lipophilic chelators and their iron complexes are proposed for the induction of ferroptosis in some refractory or recurring tumors in drug resistance and metastasis where effective treatments are absent. There is a need to readdress cancer therapy and include therapeutic strategies targeting multifactorial processes, including the application of multi-targeting drugs involving iron chelators and iron-chelator complexes. New therapeutic protocols including drug combinations with L1 and other chelating drugs could increase anticancer activity, decrease drug resistance and metastasis, improve treatments, reduce toxicity and increase overall survival in cancer patients.
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Kontoghiorghes GJ. Deferiprone: A Forty-Year-Old Multi-Targeting Drug with Possible Activity against COVID-19 and Diseases of Similar Symptomatology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126735. [PMID: 35743183 PMCID: PMC9223898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The need for preparing new strategies for the design of emergency drug therapies against COVID-19 and similar diseases in the future is rather urgent, considering the high rate of morbidity and especially mortality associated with COVID-19, which so far has exceeded 18 million lives. Such strategies could be conceived by targeting the causes and also the serious toxic side effects of the diseases, as well as associated biochemical and physiological pathways. Deferiprone (L1) is an EMA- and FDA-approved drug used worldwide for the treatment of iron overload and also other conditions where there are no effective treatments. The multi-potent effects and high safety record of L1 in iron loaded and non-iron loaded categories of patients suggests that L1 could be developed as a “magic bullet” drug against COVID-19 and diseases of similar symptomatology. The mode of action of L1 includes antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-hypoxic and anti-ferroptotic effects, iron buffering interactions with transferrin, iron mobilizing effects from ferritin, macrophages and other cells involved in the immune response and hyperinflammation, as well as many other therapeutic interventions. Similarly, several pharmacological and other characteristics of L1, including extensive tissue distribution and low cost of production, increase the prospect of worldwide availability, as well as many other therapeutic approach strategies involving drug combinations, adjuvant therapies and disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- George J Kontoghiorghes
- Postgraduate Research Institute of Science, Technology, Environment and Medicine, Limassol 3021, Cyprus
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Mahroum N, Alghory A, Kiyak Z, Alwani A, Seida R, Alrais M, Shoenfeld Y. Ferritin - from iron, through inflammation and autoimmunity, to COVID-19. J Autoimmun 2022; 126:102778. [PMID: 34883281 PMCID: PMC8647584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
While it took decades to arrive to a conclusion that ferritin is more than an indicator of iron storage level, it took a short period of time through the COVID-19 pandemic to wonder what the reason behind high levels of ferritin in patients with severe COVID-19 might be. Unsurprisingly, acute phase reactant was not a satisfactory explanation. Moreover, the behavior of ferritin in patients with severe COVID-19 and the subsequent high mortality rates in patients with high ferritin levels necessitated further investigations to understand the role of ferritin in the diseases. Ferritin was initially described to accompany various acute infections, both viral and bacterial, indicating an acute response to inflammation. However, with the introduction of the hyperferritinemic syndrome connecting four severe pathological conditions such as adult-onset Still's disease, macrophage activation syndrome, catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, and septic shock added another aspect of ferritin where it could have a pathogenetic role rather than an extremely elevated protein only. In fact, suggesting that COVID-19 is a new member in the spectrum of hyperferritinemic syndrome besides the four mentioned conditions could hopefully direct further search on the pathogenetic role of ferritin. Doubtlessly, improving our understanding of those aspects of ferritin would enormously contribute to better coping with severe diseases in terms of treatment and prevention of complications. The origin, history, importance, and the advances of searching the role of ferritin in various pathological and clinical processes are presented hereby in our article. In addition, the implications of ferritin in COVID-19 are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naim Mahroum
- International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey,Internal Medicine B and Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat- Gan, Israel,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel,Corresponding author. Internal medicine “B” department, Sheba Medical Center (Affiliated to Tel-Aviv University), Tel-Hashomer, 5265601, Israel
| | - Amal Alghory
- International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Kiyak
- International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdulkarim Alwani
- International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ravend Seida
- International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mahmoud Alrais
- International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Shanshan L, Yamei Z, Ling Z, Xin L, Guochun W. Progranulin correlated with rapid progressive interstitial lung disease in dermatomyositis with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 41:757-763. [PMID: 34718893 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05816-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to detect the expression of progranulin (PGRN) and elucidate associations with clinical features in dermatomyositis (DM) patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) antibody. METHODS We enrolled 40 DM patients with anti-MDA5 antibody, 20 patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS; disease control), and 20 healthy individuals (healthy control, HC). The clinical features of patients with anti-MDA5 antibody and anti-histidyl-tRNA antibody were collected. The level of PGRN in the serum was tested by ELISA. RESULTS The PGRN levels in DM patients with anti-MDA5 antibody (166.74 ± 97.95 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in patients with ASS (82.66 ± 40.50 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and in HC (42.34 ± 18.69 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Patients with rapid progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) in DM with anti-MDA5 antibody (213.57 ± 114.05 ng/ml) had higher levels of PGRN than those without RP-ILD (135.51 ± 72.41 ng/ml; p = 0.012). ROC analysis showed an AUC value at 0.715 (95% CI, 0.541-0.888) for diagnosis of RP-ILD in DM patients with anti-MDA5 antibody. The expression of PGRN was positively correlated with the levels of ALT, AST, CK, LDH and ferritin (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated PGRN had great potential as a valuable serum marker of RP-ILD in DM with anti-MDA5 antibody. Key Points The level of PGRN was elevated in DM patients with anti-MDA5 antibody, especially for those with RP-ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Shanshan
- Department of Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East st, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Zhang Yamei
- Department of Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East st, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Zhang Ling
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Xin
- Department of Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East st, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Wang Guochun
- Department of Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East st, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
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Das B, Bhatia SY, Pal PM. Evaluation of the Role of Routine Laboratory Biomarkers in COVID-19 Patients: Perspective from a Tertiary Care Hospital in India. Indian J Clin Biochem 2021; 36:473-484. [PMID: 33907355 PMCID: PMC8062949 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-021-00978-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the role of routine laboratory biomarkers like C Reactive Protein (CRP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Interleukin 6 (IL6), Ferritin, Creatinine, Procalcitonin (PCT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Serum Albumin, Total Bilirubin (T Bil), High Sensitive Troponin I (hs troponin I), N Terminal-pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT proBNP), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Blood Gases in COVID 19 patients who are admitted with SARS CoV-2 positive test results by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT PCR) in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, India. 100 individuals detected with COVID-19 belonging to the age group 12-83 years (median age 62 years) within the period of 1st March 2020 to 10th July 2020 were studied. The case group consisted of 72 males and 28 females. 40 healthy adults without any history or clinical evidence suggestive of COVID-19 and without any comorbidities, like diabetes, hypertension chronic lung disease, cardiac disease, cancer, and immune-compromised individuals were considered as a control group for the study. Routine laboratory findings of these 100 patients were used to evaluate the abnormalities found in COVID-19 patients. Statistical analysis was carried out on the data after determining whether the data had a normal/log-normal distribution and their significance was determined by calculating the p-value. The percentage of patients showing a decrease or increase from the normal value was calculated. Trend analysis was carried out for the 100 patients considered in the case group. Among them, 6 patients were used as representatives to show the trend in these biomarkers during the course of hospital stay. These 5 severe cases consisted of 2 adult males, 2 adult females, and 1 adolescent girl. This selection is to demonstrate the representation of COVID-19 infection in adult males and females and pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 in the younger age group. One mild case (adult male) was also selected in the case study. We found a significant increase in mean values of AST, ALT, Total Billirubin, Creatinine, CRP, PCT, LDH, IL6, Ferritin, Lactate, hsTroponin I, NT Pro BNP and decrease in mean values of Albumin, SO2, and PO2 in COVID 19 cases than control. We applied Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) curve to discriminate case population more precisely than the control population. Therefore, Routine laboratory biomarkers appear to play a significant role in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnali Das
- Department of Biochemistry & Immunology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
| | - Seema Y. Bhatia
- Department of Biochemistry & Immunology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
| | - Poonam M. Pal
- Department of Biochemistry & Immunology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
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Asghar MS, Ahmed I, Alvi H, Iqbal S, Khan I, Alvi RS, Saeed Z, Irfan S, Akhtar M, Fatima I. Correlation of refractory hypoxemia with biochemical markers and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients in a developing country: A retrospective observational study: Running head: Predictors of hypoxemia in COVID-19. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect 2021; 11:9-16. [PMID: 33552406 PMCID: PMC7850320 DOI: 10.1080/20009666.2020.1835214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID-19 is mainly a respiratory illness, causing hypoxemia in the majority of those been infected. In our study, we aimed to correlate the biochemical markers with hypoxemia and predicting the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective, observational study was conducted to include all the admitted COVID-19 patients (n = 183) diagnosed by a real-time Polymerase chain reaction and evaluated those for hypoxemia and disease outcomes by utilizing the biochemical markers. RESULTS Out of the 183 patients, 117 were in the ward, 66 were in ICU, 148 of them recovered, while 35 deaths were reported, 89 patients were having persisting hypoxemia (despite oxygen therapy) during the hospital stay, and the remaining 94 were non-hypoxemic with or without supplemental oxygen therapy. There were significant differences in mean hemoglobin (p = 0.028), total leukocyte count (p = 0.005), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.001), serum urea and creatinine (p = 0.002), serum potassium (p = 0.009), C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), Lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.005), and Ferritin (p = 0.042) of the hypoxemic patients versus non-hypoxemic group. Amongst the deceased patients, there was significant leukocytosis (p = 0.008), increased Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.001), elevated C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), and Lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.009). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), and Lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.001) most significantly associated with hypoxemia and death. CONCLUSION The inflammatory markers are a good guide for predicting the hypoxemia and disease outcome. The results concluded Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and Lactate dehydrogenase were effective biomarkers in predicting a severe course of COVID-19, but could not establish significant associations of serum Ferritin, Procalcitonin, and D-Dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sohaib Asghar
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Iftekhar Ahmed
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Haris Alvi
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Iqbal
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ismail Khan
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rabia Seher Alvi
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zara Saeed
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saboohi Irfan
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Maria Akhtar
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ibraj Fatima
- Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
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Karaderi T, Bareke H, Kunter I, Seytanoglu A, Cagnan I, Balci D, Barin B, Hocaoglu MB, Rahmioglu N, Asilmaz E, Taneri B. Host Genetics at the Intersection of Autoimmunity and COVID-19: A Potential Key for Heterogeneous COVID-19 Severity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:586111. [PMID: 33414783 PMCID: PMC7783411 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.586111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 presentation is very heterogeneous across cases, and host factors are at the forefront for the variables affecting the disease manifestation. The immune system has emerged as a key determinant in shaping the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is mainly the deleterious unconstrained immune response, rather than the virus itself, which leads to severe cases of COVID-19 and the associated mortality. Genetic susceptibility to dysregulated immune response is highly likely to be among the host factors for adverse disease outcome. Given that such genetic susceptibility has also been observed in autoimmune diseases (ADs), a number of critical questions remain unanswered; whether individuals with ADs have a significantly different risk for COVID-19-related complications compared to the general population, and whether studies on the genetics of ADs can shed some light on the host factors in COVID-19. In this perspective, we discuss the host genetic factors, which have been under investigation in association with COVID-19 severity. We touch upon the intricate link between autoimmunity and COVID-19 pathophysiology. We put forth a number of autoimmune susceptibility genes, which have the potential to be additional host genetic factors for modifying the severity of COVID-19 presentation. In summary, host genetics at the intersection of ADs and COVID-19 may serve as a source for understanding the heterogeneity of COVID-19 severity, and hence, potentially holds a key in achieving effective strategies in risk group identification, as well as effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugce Karaderi
- Center for Health Data Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Disease Systems Biology Program, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Halin Bareke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Imge Kunter
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
| | - Adil Seytanoglu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
| | - Ilgin Cagnan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
| | - Deniz Balci
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
| | - Burc Barin
- Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Area, The Emmes Company, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Mevhibe B. Hocaoglu
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Dr Fazil Kucuk Faculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
| | - Nilufer Rahmioglu
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Esra Asilmaz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Homerton University Hospital, Clapton, United Kingdom
| | - Bahar Taneri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Institute for Public Health Genomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Biochemistry of mammalian ferritins in the regulation of cellular iron homeostasis and oxidative responses. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:352-362. [PMID: 32974854 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1795-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Ferritin, an iron-storage protein, regulates cellular iron metabolism and oxidative stress. The ferritin structure is characterized as a spherical cage, inside which large amounts of iron are deposited in a safe, compact and bioavailable form. All ferritins readily catalyze Fe(II) oxidation by peroxides at the ferroxidase center to prevent free Fe(II) from participating in oxygen free radical formation via Fenton chemistry. Thus, ferritin is generally recognized as a cytoprotective stratagem against intracellular oxidative damage The expression of cytosolic ferritins is usually regulated by iron status and oxidative stress at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. The mechanism of ferritin-mediated iron recycling is far from clarified, though nuclear receptor co-activator 4 (NCOA4) was recently identified as a cargo receptor for ferritin-based lysosomal degradation. Cytosolic ferritins are heteropolymers assembled by H- and L-chains in different proportions. The mitochondrial ferritins are homopolymers and distributed in restricted tissues. They play protective roles in mitochondria where heme- and Fe/S-enzymes are synthesized and high levels of ROS are produced. Genetic ferritin disorders are mainly related to the L-chain mutations, which generally cause severe movement diseases. This review is focused on the biochemistry and function of mammalian intracellular ferritin as the major iron-storage and anti-oxidation protein.
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Asghar MS, Haider Kazmi SJ, Khan NA, Akram M, Hassan M, Rasheed U, Ahmed Khan S. Poor Prognostic Biochemical Markers Predicting Fatalities Caused by COVID-19: A Retrospective Observational Study From a Developing Country. Cureus 2020; 12:e9575. [PMID: 32913691 PMCID: PMC7474562 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.9575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are rapidly spreading, posing a serious threat to the health of people worldwide, resulting in the World Health Organization officially declaring it a pandemic. There are several biochemical markers linked with predicting the severity of coronavirus disease. This study aims to identify the most effective predictive biomarker such as C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin (PCT), and D-dimer, among others, in predicting the clinical outcome of the disease. Materials and methods This study was conducted as a retrospective, observational, multi-centric study, including all admitted COVID-19 positive patients only. The disease outcome was followed along with the hospital course of every patient at the time of analysis. Baseline laboratory investigations of all patients were monitored both at admission and discharge. A comparative analysis was done between the survivors (n=263) and non-survivors (n=101). Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 25 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results Of 364 patients, 65.7% were in the isolation ward, and 34.3% were in the intensive care unit; 72.3% of patients survived, while 27.7% of patients died. The mean age of the study population was 52.6 ± 15.8 years with female patients significantly younger than male patients (p=0.001) and 50 to 75 years being the most common age group (p=0.121). Among the survivors versus non-survivors of COVID-19, there were significant differences in total leukocyte count (p<0.001), neutrophil count, (p<0.001), lymphocyte count (p<0.001), urea (p<0.001), serum bicarbonate (p=0.001), CRP levels (p<0.001), LDH (p=0.013), and D-dimer (p<0.001) at admission. At discharge, the laboratory values of non-surviving patients showed significant leukocytosis (p<0.001), neutrophilia (p<0.001), lymphocytopenia (p<0.001), decreased monocytes (p<0.001), elevated urea and creatinine (p<0.001), hypernatremia (p<0.001), decreased serum bicarbonate levels (p<0.001), elevated CRP level (p=0.040), LDH (p<0.001), ferritin (p=0.001), and D-dimer (p<0.001). Among the recovered patients, the laboratory investigations at admission were significantly different from those at discharge like increased platelets (p=0.007), lower neutrophil count (p=0.001), higher lymphocyte count (p=0.005), an improved creatinine (p=0.020), higher sodium (p=0.008), increased bicarbonate levels (p<0.001), decreased CRP levels (p<0.001), and a lower LDH (p=0.039). However, the laboratory values of non-surviving patients had shown a lower hemoglobin (p=0.016), increased mean cell volume (p<0.001), significantly increased total leukocyte count (p<0.001), increased urea and creatinine (p<0.001), hypernatremia (p<0.001), increased bicarbonate (p=0.025), elevated D-dimer levels (p=0.043), and elevated PCT (p=0.021) on discharge. Receiver operating characteristic analysis concluded LDH (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.875), D-dimer (AUC: 0.803), and PCT (AUC: 0.769) were superior biomarkers to ferritin (AUC: 0.714) and CRP (AUC: 0.711) in predicting the fatality of COVID-19. Conclusion Inflammatory markers are a useful guide for predicting mortality, and the study results concluded that LDH, PCT, D-dimer, CRP, and ferritin were effective biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sohaib Asghar
- Internal Medicine, Dow International Medical College, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK
| | | | - Noman A Khan
- General Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, PAK
| | - Mohammed Akram
- Internal Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, PAK
| | - Maira Hassan
- Internal Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, PAK
| | - Uzma Rasheed
- Internal Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, PAK
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Kotyla PJ, Islam MA. MicroRNA (miRNA): A New Dimension in the Pathogenesis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062076. [PMID: 32197340 PMCID: PMC7139820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, endogenous RNA molecules that play a significant role in the regulation of gene expression as well as cell development, differentiation, and function. Recent data suggest that these small molecules are responsible for the regulation of immune responses. Therefore, they may act as potent modulators of the immune system and play an important role in the development of several autoimmune diseases. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune systemic disease characterized by venous and/or arterial thromboses and/or recurrent fetal losses in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). Several lines of evidence suggest that like other autoimmune disorders, miRNAs are deeply involved in the pathogenesis of APS, interacting with the function of innate and adaptive immune responses. In this review, we characterize miRNAs in the light of having a functional role in the immune system and autoimmune responses focusing on APS. In addition, we also discuss miRNAs as potential biomarkers and target molecules in treating APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław J. Kotyla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-635 Katowice, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.J.K.); (M.A.I.)
| | - Md Asiful Islam
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (P.J.K.); (M.A.I.)
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Islam MA, Kamal MA, Md Zulfiker AH, Gan SH. Immune-mediated Pathogenesis and Therapies for Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases. Curr Pharm Des 2019; 25:2907-2908. [PMID: 31621552 DOI: 10.2174/138161282527191007151037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Md Asiful Islam
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad A Kamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Enzymoics, Hebersham, NSW, Australia.,Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, NSW, Australia
| | - Abu H Md Zulfiker
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siew H Gan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, United States
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