TY - JOUR
T1 - Low transferrin levels predict heightened inflammation in patients with COVID-19
T2 - New insights
AU - Claise, Catherine
AU - Saleh, Jumana
AU - Rezek, Marwa
AU - Vaulont, Sophie
AU - Peyssonnaux, Carole
AU - Edeas, Marvin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s)
PY - 2022/3/1
Y1 - 2022/3/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: Mounting evidence links hyperinflammation in gravely ill patients to low serum iron levels and hyperferritinemia. However, little attention has been paid to other iron-associated markers such as transferrin. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of different iron parameters in severe COVID-19 and their relation to disease severity.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study involved 73 hospitalized patients with positive test results for SARS-CoV-2. Patients were classified into two groups according to symptom severity: mild and severe. Blood levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and iron-related biomarkers were measured.RESULTS: The results revealed a significant increase in IL-6, CRP, and ferritin levels and decreased transferrin and iron levels in severe COVID-19. Transferrin negatively predicted variations in IgM and IgG levels (P < 0.001), as well as 34.4% and 36.6% increase in IL-6 and CRP levels, respectively (P < 0.005). Importantly, transferrin was the main negative predictor of ferritin levels, determining 22.7% of serum variations (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Reduced serum transferrin and iron levels, along with the increased CRP and high ferritin, were strongly associated with the heightened inflammatory and immune state in COVID-19. Transferrin can be used as a valuable predictor of increased severity and progression of the disease.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Mounting evidence links hyperinflammation in gravely ill patients to low serum iron levels and hyperferritinemia. However, little attention has been paid to other iron-associated markers such as transferrin. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of different iron parameters in severe COVID-19 and their relation to disease severity.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study involved 73 hospitalized patients with positive test results for SARS-CoV-2. Patients were classified into two groups according to symptom severity: mild and severe. Blood levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and iron-related biomarkers were measured.RESULTS: The results revealed a significant increase in IL-6, CRP, and ferritin levels and decreased transferrin and iron levels in severe COVID-19. Transferrin negatively predicted variations in IgM and IgG levels (P < 0.001), as well as 34.4% and 36.6% increase in IL-6 and CRP levels, respectively (P < 0.005). Importantly, transferrin was the main negative predictor of ferritin levels, determining 22.7% of serum variations (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Reduced serum transferrin and iron levels, along with the increased CRP and high ferritin, were strongly associated with the heightened inflammatory and immune state in COVID-19. Transferrin can be used as a valuable predictor of increased severity and progression of the disease.
KW - Cytokine storm
KW - Hyperferritinemia
KW - IL-6
KW - Serum iron
KW - Transferrin
KW - Transferrin saturation
KW - Humans
KW - Inflammation
KW - COVID-19/diagnosis
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - Biomarkers
KW - C-Reactive Protein/metabolism
KW - Transferrin/analysis
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UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/e20e3a84-89a6-3a09-8009-975cbc686aee/
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.12.340
DO - 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.12.340
M3 - Article
C2 - 34952211
AN - SCOPUS:85122657910
SN - 1201-9712
VL - 116
SP - 74
EP - 79
JO - International Journal of Infectious Diseases
JF - International Journal of Infectious Diseases
ER -