Differences in inflammatory markers between coronavirus disease 2019 and sepsis in hospitalised patients

• Published in: Clinical epidemiology and global health 2022-05, Vol.15, p.101059-101059, Article 101059
• Main Authors: Linarez Ochoa, Nery E., Rodríguez, Gaspar, Reyes, Irma Dolores, Rico Rivas, Karla M., Ramírez, Celeo, Durón, Reyna M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Original; Pneumonia; SARS-CoV-2 infection; Sepsis; Viral
• ISSN: 2213-3984; 2452-0918; 2213-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2022.101059

Inflammatory markers are pivotal for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and sepsis. This study compared markers between hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and those with bacterial sepsis. This retrospective single-centre cohort study included 50 patients with COVID-19 clinical stages II and III and 24 patients with bacterial sepsis. Both groups were treated according to the country's official standards. Leukocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and D-dimer were registered at the time of patient's admission and 24, 48, and 72 h after initiating intrahospital treatment. Upon admission, marker levels were high, with a significant decrease at 72 h after antibiotic therapy in the sepsis group. The leukocyte count was higher in deceased patients with sepsis. The mean ferritin levels were 1105 mcg/dl for COVID-19 and 525 mcg/dL for sepsis. Higher ferritin levels in COVID-19 (P = 0.001) seemed to be a predictor of higher mortality. Upon admission, the median D-dimer level was 0.68 mg/L for COVID-19 and 3 mg/L for patients with sepsis, whether recovered or deceased. As D-dimer, procalcitonin levels were higher in patients with sepsis (P = 0.001). CRP levels were equally elevated in both entities but higher in deceased patients with COVID-19. Ferritin was the main inflammatory marker for COVID-19, and leukocytes, procalcitonin, and D-dimer were the main markers of sepsis. Markers that were most affected in deceased patients were CRP for COVID-19 and leukocyte for sepsis. The therapeutic implications of these differences require further study.