The Relationship of Serum Beta Defensin-2 and Surfactant Protein A and B Levels with the Clinical Course and Prognosis of COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

Aim: Defensin and surfactant-related peptides are antimicrobial peptides that play an essential role in the natural host defense against micro-organisms. The objective is to compare the serum beta-defensin 2 (ß-def2), serum surfactant protein-A (sSPA) and B (sSPB) levels and respiratory surfactant protein A (rSPA) and B (rSPB) levels in patients with clinically mild and severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Material and Method: On presentation at the hospital before any treatment, venous blood samples and a nasopharyngeal smear sample were taken for rSPA and rSPB. The ß-def2, SPA, and SPB levels were advanced and analyzed using the ELISA method. Results: The levels of acute phase reactants of ß-def2, sSPA, sSPB and white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil count, ferritin, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined to be higher in the clinically and radiologically severe patients. The rSPA and rSPB levels showed a tendency to be lower in this patient group but not to a statistically significant level. The ß-def2, sSPA and sSPB values were determined to be positively correlated with WBC, neutrophil count, NLR, ferritin, procalcitonin, and CRP levels and negatively correlated with the albumin level. Conclusion: ß-def2, sSPA, and sSPB, which play a role in the natural host defense, are correlated with the acute phase reactants of the clinical and radiological severity of COVID-19: WBC, neutrophil count, NLR, ferritin, procalcitonin, and CRP. In patients with severe disease, rSPA and rSPB levels tended to be low, although not statistically significant, and further studies on this subject could guide the use of surfactants in treatment.

Keywords

• beta defensin-2
• COVID-19
• surfactant protein A
• surfactant protein B

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