CHANGES IN INDICATORS OF ENDOGENOUS INTOXICATION, NONSPECIFIC REACTIVITY, AND INFLAMMATION CAUSED BY SARS-COV-2

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the fact that the entire scientific world is concerned about COVID-19, about 65 million people are living with Long COVID, suffering from general weakness, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and shortness of breath. This problem is global for humanity because of the decrease in the ability to work and mental activity of the population, which leads to economic losses. The problem remains open and requires further research. Materials and Methods: a total of 108 patients were examined and divided into three groups: group A – 31 patients with confirmed COVID-19, group B – 35 patients with Long COVID, and group C – 42 practically healthy individuals. Hematologic and nonspecific immunologic changes were studied. Statistical data processing was performed using STATA software by StataCorp (Texas, USA) with the calculation of parametric and non-parametric criteria. Results: middle-aged women predominated in the study groups. Among the hematologic parameters, an increase in leukocytes, erythrocytes, and ESR was observed in the COVID-19 group. Patients in group A had 2.5 times more rods of neutrophils than in group B and 2.3 times more than in group C. In patients with COVID-19, integrative indicators of endogenous intoxication exceeded the corresponding data compared to the Long COVID group (p<0.05). In patients with Long COVID, there was a tendency (p=0.055 – 0.588) to increased integrative indicators of endogenous intoxication (the intoxication index was 2.6 times higher (p<0.05)) compared to the group of practically healthy individuals. The indices of nonspecific reactivity in group A (resistance coefficient, lymphocyte index, eosinophil to lymphocyte ratio index, allergy index) and B (resistance coefficient, lymphocyte index) were lower than in group C (p<0.05). In patients with COVID-19, indices of inflammation activity (total inflammation index, Krebs index, leukocyte/ ESR ratio index) were higher than in the group of practically healthy individuals (p<0.05). Conclusions: patients with COVID-19 are characterized by a leftward shift of the leukocyte formula, increased integrative indicators of endogenous intoxication, a pronounced inflammatory process, and activation of tissue breakdown. For people with Long COVID, there is a slight increase in integrative indicators of endogenous intoxication, with a low degree of inflammation and increased nonspecific reactivity compared to the COVID-19 group.