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Does Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor predict the prognosis of COVID-19 disease?
Hamad Dheir1, Selcuk Yaylaci2, Savas Sipahi3
1Division of Nephrology, Sakarya University Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey. hamaddheir@sakarya.edu.tr.
Introduction:
The aim of this study is to investigate whether macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) predicts the prognosis of COVID-19 disease.
Methodology:
This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 87 confirmed COVID-19 patients. The patients were separated into two groups according to the admission in the ICU or in the ward. MIF was determined batchwise in plasma obtained as soon as the patients were admitted. Both groups were compared with respect to demographic characteristics, biochemical parameters and prediction of requirement to ICU admission.
Results:
Forty seven patients in ICU, and 40 patients in ward were included. With respect to MIF levels and biochemical biomarkers, there was a statistically significant difference between the ICU and ward patients (p< 0.024). In terms of ICU requirement, the cut-off value of MIF was detected as 4.705 (AUC:0.633, 95%CI:0.561-0.79, p= 0.037), D-dimer was 789 (AUC:0.779, 95%CI: 0.681-0.877, p= 0.000), troponin was 8.15 (AUC: 0.820, 95%CI:0.729-0.911, p= 0.000), ferritin was 375 (AUC: 0.774, 95%CI:0.671-0.876, p= 0.000), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was 359.5 (AUC:0.843, 95%CI: 0.753-0.933, p= 0.000). According to the logistic regression analysis; when MIF level > 4.705, the patient's requirement to ICU risk was increased to 8.33 (95%CI: 1.73-44.26, p= 0.009) fold. Similarly, elevation of troponin, ferritin and, LDH was shown to predict disease prognosis (p< 0.05).
Conclusions:
Our study showed that MIF may play a role in inflammatory responses to COVID-19 through induction of pulmonary inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that pharmacotherapeutic approaches targeting MIF may hold promise for the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Insights
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) may predict COVID-19 prognosis. Elevated MIF levels indicate an increased risk of ICU admission, suggesting MIF as a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19 pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- COVID-19 poses significant global health challenges.
- Understanding prognostic biomarkers is crucial for patient management.
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is implicated in inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of MIF for COVID-19 prognosis.
- To determine if MIF levels correlate with disease severity and ICU admission.
- To explore MIF's role in COVID-19-related inflammation.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 87 COVID-19 patients.
- Patients were categorized into ICU and ward groups.
- Plasma MIF levels were measured upon admission and compared with demographic and biochemical data.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in MIF and other biomarkers (D-dimer, troponin, ferritin, LDH) were observed between ICU and ward patients (p<0.024).
- MIF levels > 4.705 predicted ICU requirement with an odds ratio of 8.33 (p=0.009).
- Elevated troponin, ferritin, and LDH also predicted poor COVID-19 prognosis (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- MIF may contribute to COVID-19-induced pulmonary inflammation.
- MIF levels can serve as a prognostic marker for COVID-19 severity.
- Targeting MIF therapeutically could be a promising strategy for treating COVID-19 pneumonia.
