J Infect . Cytokine levels in sputum, not serum, may be more helpful 1 for indicating the damage in the lung and the prognosis of severe COVID-19 - A Case Series

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J Infect


. 2021 Aug 19;S0163-4453(21)00415-1.
doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.08.026. Online ahead of print.
Cytokinelevels in sputum, not serum, may be more helpful 1 for indicating the damage in the lung and the prognosis of severe COVID-19 - A Case Series


Changsong Wang ¹ , Kai Kang ² , Xiuwen Lan ³ , Dongsheng Fei ² , Qian Wang ³ , Xianyong Li ² , Yang Chong ² , Yan Gao ⁴ , Huaiquan Wang ⁵ , Xueting Li ³ , Mingyan Zhao ⁶ , Kaijiang Yu ⁷



Affiliations

• PMID: 34419557
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.08.026

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the relationship between the severity of lung damage and cytokine levels in sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum.
Method: Eight severe patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were admitted and their cytokines and chest computed tomography (CT) were analyzed.
Results: Compared with in serum, IL-6 and TNF-α in sputum and in BALF show more directly reflect the severity of COVID-19 critical patients. The gradient ratio of IL-6 levels may predict the prognosis of severe patients.
Conclusion: Cytokine levels in the sputum may be more helpful for indicating lung damage. Local intervention through the respiratory tract is expected to benefit patients with severe COVID-19.

Keywords: BALF; COVID-19; IL-6; TNF-α; sputum.