Clinico-Epidemiological Laboratory Findings of COVID- 19 Positive Patients in a Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background

Understanding COVID-19’s onset and clinical effects requires knowing host immune responses.

Objective

To investigate the presence of IgM, IgG, and cytokine levels (IL-2 and IL-6) in individuals with COVID-19 who have had their diagnosis confirmed by PCR.

Methods

This cross-sectional research included 70 adult ICU patients from King Abdullah Hospital in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Subjects gave two blood samples. After hospital release, only 21 patients provided the second sample. Each patient provided a sample upon admission. Quantitative ELISAs evaluated IL-2, IL-6, and SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG antibodies.

Results

All patients were critically ill and unvaccinated against COVID-19. 46 (65.7%) of the patients were male, and their age range was 33–98 years (with a mean age of 66.5); 24.3%) were 51–61 years old. IgG was positive in all patients, although IgM predominated in 57/70 (81.4%) (6–1200 IU/mL). Total data analysis yielded these results. IL-6 was calculated at 10–1900 ng/mL, whereas IL-2 was 4–280. Discharged hospital patients had a statistically significant increase in IgM and IgG (P = 0.01, 0.004) but a statistically insignificant decline in IL-6 and IL-2 (P = 0.761, 0.071). Low IgM levels increased hospital stays. The study found lengthier hospital stays with higher IgG levels.

Conclusion

The identification of IgM and IgG antibodies, greater IL-6 levels, and lower IL-2 levels can help diagnose and monitor COVID-19 infection.

Keywords:

• COVID-19 patients
• antibodies
• cytokines levels
• PCR test
• ELISA
• Saudi Arabia

Abbreviations

WHO, World Health Organization; IL, interleukin; POCT, Point-of-care Testing; ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; mAb, monoclonal antibody; RBD, receptor-binding domain.

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study were included in this published article.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Ethical approval for the conduction of the study was taken from the Research and Ethical Committee of the College of Medicine, the University of Bisha (Approval NO: (UBCOM/H-06-BH-087(05/12))). Confidentiality of information obtained from the patients investigated was maintained. Written consent from the patients was taken before being enrolled in the study. The obtained laboratory results were given to all the participants in the study. Permission to collect the specimens was obtained from King Abdullah Hospital the study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all participants involved in the study.

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to the Deanship of Scientific Research at the University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia (for funding the project) (UB-COVID-05-1441), the staff of King Abdullah Hospital for facilitating data and specimen collection, all participants, to the College of Medicine (University of Bisha), and to Dr. Abdalla Osman Ahmed (Umm Al-Qura University) for his support and consultation.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research- University of Bisha (Grant NO 5).