Renal and Inflammation Markers—Renalase, Cystatin C, and NGAL Levels in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a One-Month Follow-Up Study
Natalia Serwin,
Elżbieta Cecerska-Heryć,
Ewa Pius-Sadowska,
Karol Serwin,
Anna Niedźwiedź,
Magda Wiśniewska,
Marta Roszak,
Bartłomiej Grygorcewicz,
Edyta Skwirczyńska,
Bogusław Machaliński,
Barbara Dołęgowska
Affiliations
Natalia Serwin
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Elżbieta Cecerska-Heryć
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Ewa Pius-Sadowska
Department of General Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Karol Serwin
Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Arkońska 4, 71-455 Szczecin, Poland
Anna Niedźwiedź
Independent Public Regional Hospital in Szczecin, ul. Arkońska 4, 71-455 Szczecin, Poland
Magda Wiśniewska
Department of Nephrology, Transplantology, and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Marta Roszak
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Bartłomiej Grygorcewicz
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Edyta Skwirczyńska
Department of History of Medicine and Medical Ethics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Rybacka 1, 70-205 Szczecin, Poland
Bogusław Machaliński
Department of General Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Barbara Dołęgowska
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of asymptomatic infection and the occurrence of symptomatic COVID-19 on specific biochemical, renal, and immune parameters—renalase, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) cystatin C (CysC), and creatinine—and their weekly fluctuations during a one-month observation period in COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital. The study involved 86 individuals: 30 patients with diagnosed COVID-19, 28 people with asymptomatic infection confirmed with IgG antibodies—the IG(+) group—and 28 individuals without any (IgG, IgE) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies—the IG(−) group. In the COVID-19 group, blood was drawn four times: (1) on day 0/1 after admission to hospital (C1 group), (2) 7 days later (C7 group), (3) 14 days later (C14 group), and (4) 28 days later (C28 group). In the IG(−) and IG(+) groups, blood was drawn once. There were no significant differences in creatinine, Cys C, and uric acid between any of the analyzed groups. NGAL levels were significantly higher in IG(+) and at all time-points in the COVID-19 groups than in controls. A similar observation was made for renalase at the C7, C14, and C28 time-points. Plasma renalase, NGAL, and CysC are unrelated to kidney function in non-critically ill COVID-19 patients and those with asymptomatic infection. Renalase and NGAL are most likely related to the activation of the immune system rather than kidney function. Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a rise in plasma NGAL levels similar to those observed in symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Therefore, more attention should be paid to tracking and monitoring the health of these people.
