Biomedicines (Jul 2024)

The Impact of Pentraxin 3 Serum Levels and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Polymorphism on Pulmonary Infiltrates and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients

  • Zdravka Krivdić Dupan,
  • Vlatka Periša,
  • Mirjana Suver Stević,
  • Martina Mihalj,
  • Maja Tolušić Levak,
  • Silva Guljaš,
  • Tamer Salha,
  • Domagoj Loinjak,
  • Martina Kos,
  • Matej Šapina,
  • Ivana Canjko,
  • Mirela Šambić Penc,
  • Marin Štefančić,
  • Nenad Nešković

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12071618
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 7
p. 1618

Abstract

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the pentraxin 3 (PTX3) serum level and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism on the severity of radiographic pulmonary infiltrates and the clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Methods: The severity of COVID-19 pulmonary infiltrates was evaluated within a week of admission by analyzing chest X-rays (CXR) using the modified Brixia (MBrixa) scoring system. The insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism of the ACE gene and the serum levels of PTX3 were determined for all patients included in the study. Results: This study included 80 patients. Using a cut-off serum level of PTX3 ≥ 2.765 ng/mL, the ROC analysis (AUC 0.871, 95% CI 0.787–0.954, p ACE I/I polymorphism, D/D polymorphism significantly increased the risk of severe CXR infiltrates, OR 7.7 (95% CI: 1.9–30.1), and p = 0.002. Significant independent predictors of severe CXR infiltrates include hypertension (OR 7.71), PTX3 (OR 1.20), and ACE D/D polymorphism (OR 18.72). Hypertension (OR 6.91), PTX3 (OR 1.47), and ACE I/I polymorphism (OR 0.09) are significant predictors of poor outcomes. Conclusion: PTX3 and ACE D/D polymorphism are significant predictors of the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. PTX3 is a significant predictor of death.

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