TNF-alpha levels in respiratory samples are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection

MARÍA NOEL BADANO; PERESON MATIAS JAVIER; ALOISI NATALIA; CHUIT ROBERTO; MARÍA MARTA DE E DE BRACCO; PATRICIA BARÉ

Microbiology Spectrum

ASM Journals

Año: 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the current major health concerns. High systemic cytokine levels were correlated with increased morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients (1). However, lower plasma cytokine levels were reported in severe COVID-19 compared to other inflammatory conditions (2). Consequently, cytokine contribution in disease progression remains contradictory.The aim of this study was to evaluate concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in swab samples from individuals with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and analyze their association with SARS-CoV-2 genome presence. The study was conducted on 127 combined nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, referred to the laboratory for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Cytokine levels of symptomatic individuals with detectable (n=52) or undetectable (n=33) SARS-CoV-2 were measured. A group consisting of asymptomatic individuals and negative for SARS-CoV-2 genome (n=42) were included to obtain cytokines? normal range.