[HTML][HTML] Cytokine profile in plasma of severe COVID-19 does not differ from ARDS and sepsis
JCI insight, 2020•ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
BACKGROUND Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines have been associated with poor
outcomes among COVID-19 patients. It is unknown, however, how these levels compare
with those observed in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
or sepsis due to other causes. METHODS We used a Luminex assay to determine
expression of 76 cytokines from plasma of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and banked
plasma samples from ARDS and sepsis patients. Our analysis focused on detecting …
outcomes among COVID-19 patients. It is unknown, however, how these levels compare
with those observed in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
or sepsis due to other causes. METHODS We used a Luminex assay to determine
expression of 76 cytokines from plasma of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and banked
plasma samples from ARDS and sepsis patients. Our analysis focused on detecting …
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines have been associated with poor outcomes among COVID-19 patients. It is unknown, however, how these levels compare with those observed in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or sepsis due to other causes.
METHODS
We used a Luminex assay to determine expression of 76 cytokines from plasma of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and banked plasma samples from ARDS and sepsis patients. Our analysis focused on detecting statistical differences in levels of 6 cytokines associated with cytokine storm (IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, and TNF-α) between patients with moderate COVID-19, severe COVID-19, and ARDS or sepsis.
RESULTS
Fifteen hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 9 of whom were critically ill, were compared with critically ill patients with ARDS (n= 12) or sepsis (n= 16). There were no statistically significant differences in baseline levels of IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, and TNF-α between patients with COVID-19 and critically ill controls with ARDS or sepsis.
CONCLUSION
Levels of inflammatory cytokines were not higher in severe COVID-19 patients than in moderate COVID-19 or critically ill patients with ARDS or sepsis in this small cohort. Broad use of immunosuppressive therapies in ARDS has failed in numerous Phase 3 studies; use of these therapies in unselected patients with COVID-19 may be unwarranted.
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