Elsevier

Journal of Infection

Volume 83, Issue 5, November 2021, Pages e6-e9
Journal of Infection

Letter to the Editor
Cytokine levels in sputum, not serum, may be more helpful for indicating the damage in the lung and the prognosis of severe COVID-19 – A case series

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2021.08.026Get rights and content

Summary

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

COVID-19
BALF
Sputum
IL-6
TNF-α

Abbreviations

COVID-19
coronavirus disease 2019
SARS-CoV-2
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
BAL
bronchoalveolar lavage
BALF
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
CRRT
continuous renal replacement therapy
ECMO
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
CT
computed tomography
ICU
intensive care unit

Cited by (0)

1

These authors have contributed equally to this work.

View Abstract