Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and presepsin in patients with SARS-CoV-2 viral lung disease in the Republic of Crimea

Although more than 2 years have passed since the beginning of the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection, treatment and prediction of the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection remain pressing global problems. In this regard, the search for additional links in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is currently one of the most important tasks.

The Aim. To assess the level of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and presepsin (sCD14-ST) in patients with SARS-CoV-2 viral lung disease in Crimea.

Methods. We examined 121 patients with a positive PCR result for SARS-CoV-2 in the age group of 45 – 75 years who were hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Diseases, State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Republic of Crimea “N.A.Semashko Republican Clinical Hospital”. Patients were divided into 3 clinical groups according to the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Group 1 – patients with moderate disease, Group 2 – patients with severe disease, and Group 3 – patients with fatal outcome. Peripheral blood levels of LBP, presepsin, ferritin, and C-reactive protein were determined upon admission to the infectious disease hospital.

Results. A significant increase in all studied parameters was observed in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd clinical groups of patients with coronavirus infection. This finding corresponds to the state of lipopolysaccharide-binding systems and systemic infection in patients with SARS-CoV-2 viral lung disease. The highest levels of LBP, sCD14-ST, and ferritin were registered in the 3rd clinical group. We found a direct correlation between LBP and sCD14-ST levels in the 2nd group (r = 0.523, p < 0.05) and the 3rd group (r = 0.748, p < 0.05).

Conclusion. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 lung disease were found to have an increased blood levels of LBP and presepsin upon admission. The highest values were observed in patients with fatal outcome. Severe SARSCoV-2 lung damage was associated with a direct correlation between levels of LBP and sCD14-ST. Presepsin, LBP, and ferritin are important prognostic markers for severe SARS-CoV-2 lung damage and risk of death in the early stages of hospital treatment.

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