Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
Development of an Insert Co-culture System of Two Cellular Types in the Absence of Cell-Cell Contact
Published on: July 17, 2016
Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha status in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)
Mansour Babaei1,2, Behzad Heidari1,2, Mahmoud Sadeghi Haddad Zavareh2
1Mobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Insights
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients show elevated serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, indicating potential disease severity. These levels vary between sexes and age groups, suggesting personalized treatment strategies for coronavirus disease-2019.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a key cytokine in inflammatory responses and viral infection control.
- Elevated TNF-α is implicated in various inflammatory conditions and disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the serum levels of TNF-α in hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
- To explore the association between TNF-α levels, patient demographics (sex, age), and disease severity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Serum TNF-α levels, sex, and age were determined in 91 COVID-19 patients.
- Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression using SPSS-18.
Main Results:
- All patients (100%) exhibited serum TNF-α levels above the normal range (mean 9.9 pg/mL).
- Severe COVID-19 cases (95.60%) had a mean TNF-α of 10.20 pg/mL.
- Higher TNF-α levels were observed in women (11.37 pg/mL) compared to men (8.8 pg/mL) and in individuals over 70 years old (11.30 pg/mL).
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum TNF-α concentrations in COVID-19 patients, particularly in older adults and women, may correlate with disease severity.
- Observed differences in TNF-α levels across sexes and age groups suggest potential for tailored therapeutic interventions in COVID-19 management.
Background:
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) produces an inflammatory process and plays a critical role against infection and in the control of viral infection. The present study was conducted to determine the status of serum TNF-α in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study the serum TNF-α level, sex, and age, were determined in patients with COVID-19. The association between variables was determined using the student t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, multiple logistic regression analysis, and the statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)-18 (p < 0.05).
Results:
A total of 91 (women 41.75%, and men 58.24%) patients with a mean serum TNF-α level of 9.9 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) were considered. In all (100%) patients, the TNF-α serum level was more than the normal limit (P=0.95). 95.60% of patients suffered severe COVID-19, with a TNF-a serum level of 10.20 pg/mL (P=0.87). Mean TNF-α serum levels in women and men were 11.37 pg/mL and 8.8 pg/mL, respectively (P= 0.17). In the age group of > 70 years (11.30 pg/mL), serum TNF-α concentration was higher than the other age groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion:
A significant proportion of women and men patients with COVID-19 in the middle and old age had a high concentration of serum TNF-α which may indicate the severity of the disease. Serum TNF-α level is different in women and men of different ages, so it can contribute to treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...