Open AccessNeuron-specific enolase serum levels in COVID-19 are related to the severity of lung injury
Author(s) -
Erika Cione,
Antonio Siniscalchi,
Pietro Gangemi,
Lucio Cosco,
Manuela Colosimo,
Federico Longhini,
Filippo Luciani,
Giovambattista De Sarro,
Liberato Berrino,
Bruno D’Agostino,
Luca Gallelli
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0251819
Subject(s) - procalcitonin , enolase , medicine , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , covid-19 , gastroenterology , lung , pathology , immunology , sepsis , disease , immunohistochemistry , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The multifunctional role of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in lung diseases is well established. As the lungs are greatly affected in COVID-19, we evaluated serum NSE levels in COVID-19 patients with and without dyspnea. In this study, we evaluated both SARS-CoV-2-infected and uninfected patients aged >18 years who were referred to hospitals in Catanzaro, Italy from March 30 to July 30, 2020. Epidemiological, clinical, and radiological characteristics, treatment, and outcome data were recorded and reviewed by a trained team of physicians. In total, 323 patients (178 men, 55.1% and 145 women, 44.9%) were enrolled; of these, 128 were COVID-19 patients (39.6%) and 195 were control patients (60.4%). Westergren’s method was used to determine erythroid sedimentation rate. A chemiluminescence assay was used for measurement of interleukin-6, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and NSE. We detected significantly higher NSE values (P<0.05) in COVID-19 patients than in controls. Interestingly, within the COVID-19 group, we also observed a further significant increase in dyspnea (Dyspnea Scale and Exercise score: 8.2 ± 0.8; scores ranging from 0 to 10, with higher numbers indicating very severe shortness of breath). These data provide the background for further investigations into the potential role of NSE as a clinical marker of COVID-19 progression.