Although the direct damage from the viruses contributes to the initiation of the disease, the cytokine storm caused by COVID-19 plays a vital role in the development of acute lung injury and adult respiratory distress syndrome. IL-6, a kind of pleiotropic cytokine, is expressed by immune cells such as DC, monocytes, macrophages, B cells, and subsets of activated T cells, as well as by non-immune cells like fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and keratinocytes
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a public
health emergency of international concern the epidemic has put public health systems under
severe strain both in western countries and in the developing world. SARS-CoV-2 displays a
more efficient transmission pattern when compared with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Although the
direct damage from the viruses contributes to the initiation of the disease, the cytokine
storm caused by COVID-19 plays a vital role in the development of acute lung injury and adult
respiratory distress syndrome.
IL-6, a kind of pleiotropic cytokine, is expressed by immune cells such as DC, monocytes,
macrophages, B cells, and subsets of activated T cells, as well as by non-immune cells like
fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and keratinocytes. It contributes to the pathogenesis of
inflammatory or autoimmunity diseases. Excessive production of IL-6 leads to serious disease
progression in viral infection. The IL-6 gene is located on chromosome 7 and several
polymorphisms have been reported. The most frequently studied polymorphism is the single
nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 174C and - 174G in the promoter region, which has been
associated with transcription rates of IL6. The incidence of IL-6-174C alleles is
approximately 40%among the general Population. The G allele 174 SNP is coupled with the
increased transcription upon endotoxin and IL-1β stimulation, IL-6 -174C allele carrier
status is associated with higher level of IL-6 production and more severe forms of 4
pneumonia in general. This analysis strengthens the notion that IL-6 plays a pivotal role in
novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) progression, it was IL-6-174 C allele rather than G allele
that contributed to the risk of sepsis induced by Pneumonia
Diagnostic Test: interleuken 6 level measurment
Detection of IL6 level using ELISA technique.
Diagnostic Test: Interleukin-6 Gene-174C detection
The genotyping of the polymorphisms in IL-6 promoter G-174C (rs1800795) will be performed using PCR-RFLP technique.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients proved to be COVID-19 positive
- clinical correlation with positive PCR.
- clinical correlation with positive rapid antigen detection test.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with chronic infections including hepatitis B or C infection.
- Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.
- Autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erthromatosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Any malignancy or chronic inflammation
- Any other chest diseases (TB)
Bsant Safwat Kasem
Tanta, El Gharbyia, Egypt