Variations in Interleukin-12 and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 among COVID-19-infected, recovered, and healthy individuals | ||||
Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 10 June 2025 | ||||
Document Type: Original Article | ||||
DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.380691.2746 | ||||
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Authors | ||||
Nidaa taha yassin1; Mehdi Abbasnejad ![]() ![]() | ||||
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran | ||||
2Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Kerman Neuroscience Research Center (KNRC), Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran | ||||
Abstract | ||||
Background: COVID-19 causes varied symptoms, affecting multiple systems, including immune and hematological functions. Severe inflammation, driven by cytokines, often worsens outcomes. This study compared blood markers (IL-12, GDF-15, zinc) among COVID-19-infected, recovered, and healthy individuals, assessing their link to disease severity. Methods: A case-control study at Samarra General Hospital, Iraq (2022), included 100 participants: 40 healthy controls and 60 COVID-19 patients (30 severe, 30 recovered). IL-12 and GDF-15 were measured via ELISA. Results: GDF-15 (males: 721.4 ± 5 ng/L; females: 736.6 ± 4 ng/L), IL-12 (males: 692.4 ± 4 ng/L; females: 599 ± 4 ng/L), and WBC (3.872 × 10⁹/L) significantly increased (p < 0.001, except WBC p < 0.01) in infected/recovered groups. Zinc decreased (infected: p < 0.001; recovered: p < 0.05). RBC, PCV, MCV, and Hb showed no significant differences, but MCH, MCHC, lymphocytes, and platelets decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: COVID-19 triggers lasting changes in inflammatory markers, growth factors, and blood cell parameters. | ||||
Keywords | ||||
keyword: COVID-19; GDF-15; Cytokines; Inflammation; Immune Biomarkers | ||||
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