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Association of CD4+/CD8+ T Cell Subsets and Cytokine Profiles with Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19
Cengiz Karacaer1, Gulsum Kaya2, Hasan Ergenc3
1Cengiz Karacaer Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey.
Insights
Early COVID-19 immune responses showed no prognostic value in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell dynamics or cytokine profiles. While some lab values changed, these specific immune markers did not predict outcomes in this early-stage analysis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health crisis.
- Understanding early immune dynamics is crucial for predicting disease prognosis.
- T cell subsets (CD4+, CD8+) and cytokine profiles are key immune indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4+) and Cluster of Differentiation 8 (CD8+) T cell dynamics.
- To assess the role of cytokine profiles in early-stage COVID-19 prognosis.
- To correlate immune parameters with clinical outcomes in newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 20 adult COVID-19 patients confirmed by RT-PCR.
- Retrospective comparison of laboratory parameters on Day 1 and Day 3 of treatment.
- Exclusion of patients who received convalescent plasma, tocilizumab, or systemic corticosteroids.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant changes observed in white blood cell count, platelet count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, AST, and CK-MB between Day 1 and Day 3 (p < 0.05).
- No significant differences were found in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts or cytokine profiles (p > 0.05).
- CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts and cytokine profiles showed no prognostic value in early COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- Early CD4+ and CD8+ T cell dynamics and cytokine profiles do not appear to have prognostic value in COVID-19.
- Short-term changes in routine laboratory markers were observed, but not in key immune cell populations.
- Larger studies with extended follow-up are needed to fully elucidate the prognostic role of immune biomarkers in COVID-19.
Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4+) and Cluster of Differentiation 8 (CD8+) T cell dynamics and cytokine profiles during the early stage of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methodology:
This cross-sectional study included adult patients (≥18 years) with COVID-19 confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The study was conducted at Sakarya Training and Research Hospital between June 2020 to August 2020. A total of 20 patients were randomly selected. Laboratory parameters obtained before treatment initiation (Day one) and on the 3rd day of treatment (Day three) were retrospectively compared. Patients with prior convalescent plasma therapy, tocilizumab use, or systemic corticosteroid treatment were excluded to minimize confounding effects on immune parameters.
Results:
The study population comprised 55% female patients, with a mean age of 56.10 ± 18.67 years. Common comorbidities included diabetes mellitus (20%), hypertension (15%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (10%). The most frequent clinical manifestations were cough (75%), fatigue (65%), fever (35%), and dyspnea (20%). Comparative analysis between Day one and Day three demonstrated statistically significant changes in white blood cell count, platelet count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, aspartate aminotransferase, and Creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) levels (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts, cytokine profiles, or other evaluated laboratory parameters (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Although statistically significant short-term changes were observed in white blood cell count, platelet count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, aspartate aminotransferase, and CK-MB levels between Day one and Day three, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell dynamics and cytokine profiles showed no significant changes and had no prognostic value in early COVID-19. These findings highlight important immunological characteristics of COVID-19; however, larger studies with longer follow-up are warranted to clarify the prognostic role of immune biomarkers.
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