Abstract
Objective To reveal the relationship between interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test (Standard ETB-Feron ELISA (TBF)) results performed within 12 months before the COVID-19 pandemic and the frequency of COVID-19 infections and the severity of COVID-19. Methods The retrospective TBF test results and contact information of 684 patients aged over 18 years who underwent TBF testing between March 11th, 2019, and March 10th, 2020, were obtained. Of the 684 patients contacted by phone, 365 agreed to participate in the study and were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups (TBF test positive, negative, and indeterminate). The data obtained from the questionnaire were compared statistically. Results According to the TBF test results, positive (n = 51, 14%), negative (n = 286, 78.3%), and indeterminate (n = 28, 7.7%) groups were compared. The frequency of COVID-19 infections in the indeterminate group was found significantly higher than that in the positive and negative groups (p=0.005). When the group with COVID-19 (n = 46, 12.6%) was compared with the group without (n = 319, 87.4%), no difference was found in terms of age, sex, body mass index, smoking history and number of cigarettes smoked, TB history, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and biologic and corticosteroid therapy use. Only the frequency of obstructive pulmonary disease was significantly higher in the group without COVID-19 (p=0.033). Conclusion The frequency of COVID-19 infection was increased in patients with indeterminate TBF test results. Indeterminate TBF test results may be a guide in terms of risk stratification in groups at risk for COVID-19.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, affected the whole world after the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 [1]
SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were identified in 70% and 100% of patients recovering from COVID-19, respectively [3]
In the study of Solanich et al [17], which included 96 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection and who underwent interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) tests (QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus), indeterminate IGRA test results were found to be significantly higher in patients with severe COVID-19
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, affected the whole world after the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 [1]. E excessive response of the innate immunity and the accompanying reduction of lymphocyte subsets (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, and natural killer cells) causes widespread damage in all organs, especially the pulmonary parenchyma. It produces a systemic hyperinflammatory and hypercoagulative state [2].
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