Abstract
Background Critically ill COVID-19 patients may suffer persistent systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure, leading to a poor prognosis.
Research Question To examine the relevance of the novel inflammatory factor heparin-binding protein (HBP) in critically ill COVID-19 patients, and evaluate the correlation of the biomarker with disease progression.
Study Design and Methods Eighteen critically ill COVID-19 patients who suffered from respiratory failure and sepsis, including 12 cases who experienced a rapidly deteriorating clinical condition and 6 cases without deterioration, were investigated. They were compared with 15 age- and sex- matched COVID-19 negative patients with respiratory failure. Clinical data were collected and HBP levels were investigated.
Results HBP was significantly increased in critically ill COVID-19 patients following disease aggravation and tracked with disease progression. HBP elevation preceded the clinical manifestations for up to 5 days and was closely correlated with patients’ pulmonary ventilation and perfusion status.
Interpretation HBP levels are associated with COVID-19 disease progression in critically ill patients. As a potential mediator of disease aggravation and multiple organ injuries that are triggered by continuing inflammation and oxygen deficits, HBP warrants further study as a disease biomarker and potential therapeutic target.
Footnotes
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Conflict of interest: Dr. Xue has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Zeng has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Qu has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Li has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Huang has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Zheng has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Hu has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Zhou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Duan has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bao has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Tian has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Hakonarson has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Zhong has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Sun has nothing to disclose.
- Received October 10, 2020.
- Accepted November 4, 2020.
- Copyright ©ERS 2020
This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Licence 4.0.
