6 research outputs found
Biomarkers for iron metabolism among patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, bacteria, and influenza
Ferritin, the central iron storage protein, has attracted attention as a biomarker of severe COVIDâ19. Few studies have investigated regulators of iron metabolism in the context of COVIDâ19. The aim was to evaluate biomarkers for iron metabolism in the acute phase response to communityâacquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by SARSâCoVâ2 compared with CAP caused by bacteria or influenza virus in hospitalized patients. A crossâsectional study of 164 patients from the Surviving Pneumonia Cohort recruited between January 8, 2019 and May 26, 2020. Blood samples were collected at admission and analyzed for levels of Câreactive protein (CRP), ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, erythroferrone, and hepcidin. Median (IQR) hepcidin was higher in SARSâCoVâ2 with 143.8 (100.7â180.7) ng/mL compared with bacterial and influenza infection with 78.8 (40.1â125.4) and 53.5 (25.2â125.8) ng/mL, respectively. The median ferritin level was more than 2âfold higher in patients with SARSâCoVâ2 compared with the other etiologies (pâ<â0.001). Patients with SARSâCoVâ2 had lower levels of erythroferrone and CRP compared with those infected with bacteria. Higher levels of hepcidin and lower levels of erythroferrone despite lower CRP levels among patients with SARSâCoVâ2 compared with those infected with bacteria indicate alterations in iron metabolism in patients with SARSâCoVâ2 infection