Does Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Levels determine the prognosis of COVID-19 disease in kidney transplant recipients?

Background

In the normal population, a high MCP-1 level is an important biomarker for the progression of COVID-19 disease. This study aimed to investigate whether MCP-1 level can determine the disease prognosis in kidney transplant (KT) patients with COVID-19.

Methods

A total of 89 patients, including 49 KT patients (Group 1) diagnosed with COVID-19 who required hospitalization, and 40 KT patients who did not have COVID-19 disease (Group 2), were included. Demographic characteristics and laboratory results of the patients were recorded. The serum reserved for MCP-1 was stored at -80 degrees and studied blindly by a single microbiologist at the end of the study.

Results

While the mean age of the patients was 51.0 (40.0-59.50) years in Group 1, it was 48.0 (40.75-54.75) years in Group 2(P>0.05). In terms of the female gender, it was 36 (73.5%) and 27 (67.5%) in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (P>0.05). Similarly, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding primary disease and basal graft function (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in inflammation indicators in Group 1 compared to Group 2(P<0.05). A correlation was found between inflammation indicators and COVID-19(P<0.05). However, no significant correlation was detected between COVID-19 disease and MCP-1 levels in both groups (P>0.05). Also, according to basal MCP-1 levels, we did not find a significant difference between survival and non-survival patients (164,0pg/mL (146,0-202,0) vs 156,0 pg/mL (143,0-173,0), respectively  (p>0.05).

Conclusion

MCP-1, an indicator of inflammation, was not found to be a predictor of prognosis of COVID-19 disease in kidney recipients.

An effective venipuncture technique and normal serum biochemistry parameters of the captive fat-tailed jird (Pachyuromys duprasi)

Thirty-nine captively reared fat-tailed jirds (Pachyuromys duprasi) were enrolled in a minimally invasive study to determine an effective venipuncture technique and establish normal serum biochemistry parameters. A jugular venipuncture technique using chemical restraint (ketamine, 30 mg/kg; xylazine, 6 mg/kg; acepromazine, 1 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally was safe and consistently yielded at least 0.3 mL of blood. Of the biochemical indicators measured (glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transferase, total bilirubin, amylase, BUN, creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, sodium and potassium), amylase and glucose levels differed significantly between male and female fat-tailed jirds.