Interleukin-17, a salivary biomarker for COVID-19 severity
Fig 1
Higher IL-17 level in saliva of severe COVID-19 patients.
(A) IL-17 mRNA levels in whole blood of COVID-19 patients with different severities. (B) IL-17 protein levels in plasma of COVID-19 patients with different severities. (C and D) IL-17 protein levels in saliva of COVID-19 patients with different severities and the associated ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve). (E-G) Correlation of IL-17 saliva level with serum levels of D-dimer, CRP (C-reactive protein), and ferritin of these patients. (H-K) TNFα and IL-1β protein levels in saliva of COVID-19 patients with different severities, and the associated ROCs. Specimens were collected from the following patients with COVID-19 (asymptomatic (n = 67), mild/moderate (n = 81), and severe (n = 53), as well as healthy controls (n = 50). Statistical test: Regression models were adjusted for demographics (age, gender, body mass index), comorbidity (diabetes mellitus) and severity markers of COVID-19 (CRP, D-dimer, and ferritin). ns: Non-significant, * P<0.05, *** P<0.001.