Evaluation of the Development of Neurological Damage in Severe Covid-19 Pneumonia With Serum Ck-Bb Levels

Abstract

Aim: Aim: Despite numerous reports of various neurological symptoms observed in Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) disease, the role of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the neuropathogenesis and tropism of the central nervous system (CNS) has yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the development of CNS damage related to the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia with creatine kinase BB (CK-BB) serum levels. Material and Methods:Material and Methods: The study included 55 patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, 79 in the inpatient service diagnosed with milder COVID-19 pneumonia, and 39 healthy volunteers. CK-BB levels were measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 was performed by real time-polymerase chain reaction from the respiratory tract (nasopharyngeal swab) according to current guidelines.Results: Results: While markers that were shown to predict disease severity were higher in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia compared with patients with milder pneumonia and the control group, serum levels of the neurological damage marker CK-BB were found to be similar between the groups [respectively 6.84 (5.05-16.2), 7.48 (4.7-22.5), 6.7 (3.8-16.2), p>0.005]. In addition, there was no difference in serum CK-BB levels between patients who developed neurological symptoms and those who did not [respectively 6.78 (5.07-17.21), 7.43 (4.7-22.5), p>0.005]. Conclusion: Conclusion:In COVID-19 pneumonia, serum CK-BB levels do not increase with disease severity and the development of neurological symptoms.