Biochemical and immunological insights into COVID-19 multi system involvement in Iraqi patients

A. J. Akmakji; Z. N. M. Albarzanji; A. N. F. Alsulaiman

doi:10.15421/0225025

A. J. Akmakji Prime Minister Health Services
Z. N. M. Albarzanji University of Kirkuk
A. N. F. Alsulaiman Directorate General of Education

Keywords: COVID-19, vitamin D, D-dimer, disease severity.

Abstract

The emergence of COVID-19 has created a serious and pressing international public health emergency. In cases of COVID-19 infection, biomarkers may be employed to detect severity of the disease as reflected by the level of some infla m matory mediators such as; IL-6, IL-8 and CRP. This case control study was performed to examine the demographic charact e ristics, biochemical and level of inflammatory meditators in Iraqi patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were admitted to Al-Sheffa 14 Hospital, Kirkuk, Iraq for management. The study included a cohort of 100 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection diagnosed depending on clinical features , which was confirmed by PCR testing. Those patients were admitted to the hospital during the period from November 2021 to March 2022. Demographic data such as age and gender of the patients were gathered and a control group of 30 sex and age matched healthy persons were also included. The following serum biochemical (ALT, AST, ALP, u rea, c reatinine, v itamin D and LDH), inflammatory (CRP, D d imer and ferritin) and immunological mediators (Il-6 and Il-8) were measured and compared with those of the control group. The age range of the patients ’ group was 31–81 years , which is statistically not different from that of the control group (31–90 years). The patients (54% female, 46% male) and the control (53.3% females, 46.7% males) groups have similar sex distribution. Among the p a tients ’ group, the greater incidence of infection was among individuals aged 61–70 years while the lowest incidence was in the 31–40 years age group. These observations indicate a statistically higher level of all the above biochemical abnormalities in the COVID-19 patients relative to the control. Correlation analyses showed significant connections between D-dimer and vitamin D levels, as well as D-dimer and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in patients with COVID-19. COVID-19 patients displayed clear dem o graphic traits and notable abnormalities in biochemical, and immunological indicators when compared to healthy persons. This work highlights the significance of integrating these discoveries into risk assessment models and patient care methods for COVID-19.

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