INTERLEUKIN 6, AN IMPORTANT BIOMARKER OF CYTOKINE STORM IN COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The Corona virus disease, COVID-19 is characterised by varied clinical course. Most patients experience only mild symptoms and get cured while others develop severe disease with increasing hypoxia ending in acute respiratory failure In current scenario, disease progression mainly relies on clinical manifestations and some investigations. It has been suggested that one of the possible mechanism underlying rapid progression is a Cytokine storm .

Objective: The study was aimed to early detection of IL-6 that could help in identifying Cytokine storm and direct patients to specific treatment so as to reduce severity of disease.

Material and Methods: This is the study done on patients presented with symptoms of corona virus disease. These patients were examined clinically and investigated according.

Result: 321 patients were found positive for Corona virus out of which 206 males & 115 females. Fever (84%) and cough (71.4%)are the most common symptoms. 167 patients had increased IL-6 who presented with severe symptoms These patients were followed up strictly and proper treatment given Out of which maximum patients responded well within 15 days and 27 patients required hospitalisation and were managed

Conclusion: Early detection of IL-6 along with clinical assessment of the patient condition could help clinician identifying and treating those most at risk of deterioration Therefore early identification of Cytokine storm and managing hyper inflammation could be a key route to reduce severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: COVID-19, IL-6 , Cytokine storm .