The Role of YKL-40 and Β2 Microglobulin as A Laboratory Biomarker in COVID-19

Abstract

Background: A cytokine storm and an aggressive immune response against the virus play a crucial role in enhancing the severity and fatality of sickness, according to recent studies. The YKL-40 and β2 Microglobulin biomarkers are involved in the development of severe COVID-19 and may be used as early indicators of severity Aims: The aim of this study is to compare asymptomatic, moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19 patients' serum levels of certain laboratory biomarkers (YKL-40, β2 Microglobulin) to those of healthy controls. Materials and Methods: one hundred patients with positive RT-PCR COVID-19 results and a control group of 46 healthy participants with negative RT-PCR results. Patients were categorized as a four groups, critical, severe, moderate, or asymptomatic according to WHO standards. Enzyme-Linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA) was used by (CV Human Reader HS REF 16670) to measure (YKL_40, β2 Microglobulin). Results: The mean levels of YKL-40 (550.9758), β2 microglobulin (18.8349) among patients more than control (123.57) (9.88) groups, while the mean levels of YKL-40 and β2 microglobulin respectively were higher among both critical (1266.89) (28.06) and sever (651.35) (20.13) of COVID-19 patients other than moderate (162.3) (16.49), asymptomatic (123.34)(10.64). Conclusions: The current study's findings revealed a significant difference in the level of (YKL-40, β2 microglobulin) between patient groups (critical, severe, moderate, and asymptomatic) and the control group. We also discovered a strong correlation between the disease severity and high concentrations of biomarkers, aging, and chronic illnesses.