Background Anemia can negatively affect the outcome of many diseases, including infections and inflammatory conditions. Aim To compare the prognostic value of hemoglobin level and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for prediction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data from patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were collected from hospital records from 10 April 2020 to 30 July 2020. Results The proportions of patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 differed significantly in association with hemoglobin levels, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, NLR, and total leukocyte counts. Patients with severe COVID-19 had significantly lower hemoglobin levels than those with moderate or mild COVID-19. There were statistically significant negative associations between hemoglobin and D-dimer, age, and creatinine. The optimal hemoglobin cut-off value for prediction of disease severity was 11.6 g/dL. Using this cut-off value, hemoglobin had higher negative predictive value and sensitivity than NLR (92.4% and 51.3%, respectively). The specificity of hemoglobin as a prognostic marker was 79.3%. Conclusion Both NLR and hemoglobin level are of prognostic value for predicting severity of COVID-19. However, hemoglobin level displayed higher sensitivity than NLR. Hemoglobin level should be assessed upon admission in all patients and closely monitored throughout the disease course.

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patients possibly acquire life-threatening complications that involve septic shock, coagulation dysfunction, and multiple organ failure [6]. According to previous several previous studies, COVID-19 progression may be aided by an abnormal immune-inflammatory response and cytokine storm [7,8].C-reactive protein (CRP) is a pentameric acute-phase reactant produced by the liver, and its level rises in response to the action of cytokines like

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has affected countless countries all over the world with rapidly increasing case fatality reports and a highly variable clinical course. Since the evolution of the clinical condition of these patients is difficult to forecast, early identification of prognostic indicators is an essential foundation to regulate treatment plans and promptly identify the severity of patients’ conditions. Aim: To assess the correlation between CRP level on admission with the severity of the COVID-19, the risk for ICU admission and the findings in CT chest Method A retrospective cohort study where the clinical data of 276 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection were collected from El Obour Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital for Isolation records on admission from April 10, 2020 till July 30, 2020. Results Fever was the most common presenting symptom (total number 135; 41.7%), followed by cough (total number 133; 41.2%). High CRP levels were predictive of higher COVID-19 severity and ICU admission (p=0.000). Likewise, CRP levels were higher in patients with more chest affection as denoted by the CT chest findings (p=0.000). Conclusion Serum CRP is a simple and effective prognosticator which casts light on potentially critical patients. Consequently, it can be used to reduce the mortality of patients. Keywords: COVID-19, Hospital, CRP, ICU, severity.

Background: Exaggerated cytokines response with release of proinflammatory cytokines i.e., cytokine storm has been described with COVID-19 infection. This cytokine storm plays an important role in lung injury and development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severely ill patients. One important cytokine that participates in the cytokine storm is interleukin (IL) -17. Aim of the study: Assess serum levels of IL-17 in COVID-19 patients and its correlation with disease severity. Methods: Sixty-six COVID-19 infected patients (33 moderate cases and 33 severe cases) and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were included in the study. Serum IL-17 level was assessed by ELISA in patients and HCs. Results: IL-17 levels were remarkably higher in patients' groups compared to HCs and also there was statistically significant difference between the patients' subgroups (p<0.0001). IL-17 was correlated with different laboratory and clinical parameters. At a cut-off value of >25 ng/ml, IL-17 was able to differentiate between the patients' groups and HCs with 93.94% sensitivity and 65% specificity. Conclusion: Serum IL-17 level correlates to more severe disease courses in COVID 19 patients. Higher levels were associated with devastating outcomes.