Mustafa Ahmed Muhmood - Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
Faiza Safi - Dept. of Pediatrics, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
Akram Jassam Mohammed - Dept of Al-Anbar Health, Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Women and Children, Anbar, Iraq
Basheer Saleem Obaid Al-mawla - Dept of Al-Anbar Health, Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Women and Children, Anbar, Iraq

Background and Objective: COVID-۱۹, caused by SARS-CoV-۲, can lead to a wide range of clinical severities in infected individuals. Among the observed manifestations, pulmonary fibrosis stands out, characterized by chronic inflammation and collagen buildup in the interalveolar space. Numerous studies have indicated that proinflammatory cytokines may contribute to this condition. The cytokine storm, a critical phase in the deterioration of COVID-۱۹ patients, plays a significant role in this process. The main objective of this study was to determine the levels of IL-۱۰, IL-۲۰, and MMP۷ in COVID-۱۹-infected people. Materials and Methods: During the period between November-۲۰۲۲ to March-۲۰۲۳, a case-control study with ۲۰۰ participants was carried out at Al-Ramadi Hospitals in Anbar province, Iraq. A total of ۱۰۰ individuals diagnosed with COVID-۱۹ and ۱۰۰ healthy controls (HCs) took part in the study. Serum concentrations of interleukins, including IL-۱۰, IL-۲۰, and MMP۷, were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: The current study revealed significant differences in IL-۱۰ and IL-۲۰ concentrations among the groups being compared with a P-value of <۰.۰۱. Notably, the COVID-۱۹ group had significantly more MMP۷ than the control group or the group of individuals who had recovered from the disease. This outcome raises the possibility that MMP۷ could act as an independent indicator of COVID-۱۹ infection. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-۱۹ disease had IL-۱۰, IL-۲۰, and MMP-۷ levels that were noticeably higher than those found in healthy controls.

COVID-۱۹, Cytokines, IL-۱۰, IL-۲۰, MMP۷