Prostaglandin E/Leukotriene B balance and viral load in distinct clinical stages of COVID-19: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Prostaglandin E (PGE) and leukotriene B (LTB) are eicosanoids involved in modulation of the antiviral immune response. Recent studies have identified increased levels of several eicosanoids in the plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study investigated correlations between plasma levels of PGE and LTB and clinical severity of COVID-19.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved non-infected (n = 10) individuals and COVID-19 patients classified as cured (n = 13), oligosymptomatic (n = 29), severe (n = 15) or deceased (n = 11). Levels of D-dimer a, known COVID-19 severity marker, PGE and LTB were measured by ELISAs and data were analysed with respect to viral load.

RESULTS

PGE plasma levels were decreased in COVID-19 patients compared to the non-infected group. Changes in PGE and LTB levels did not correlate with any particular clinical presentations of COVID-19. However, LTB was related to decreased SARS-CoV-2 burden in patients, suggesting that only LTB is associated with control of viral load.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that PGE/LTB plasma levels are not associated with COVID-19 clinical severity. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are treated with corticosteroids, which may influence the observed eicosanoid imbalance. Additional analyses are required to fully understand the participation of PGE receptors in the pathophysiology of COVID-19.