Evaluation of the relationship between YKL-40 level and clinical severity in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread tick-borne viral disease. YKL-40 (also known as chitinase-3-like-1 protein) is an acute phase protein released by various immune cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between YKL-40 level and the clinical course and prognosis of CCHF. The study included 78 patients who were admitted to our hospital between April 15 and 30 August 2022 and had a positive polymerase chain reaction test result for CCHF. The patients were divided into two groups, severe and non-severe. In addition, a control group consisting of 22 healthy people was established. Mean serum YKL-40 levels were significantly higher in patients than controls (106.8ng/mL +/- 91.2 and 47.1ng/mL +/- 35.3, respectively; p<0.001). However, mean YKL-40 levels were also significantly higher in patients with severe CCHF compared to non-severe cases (173.3 +/- 112.3 and 67.5 +/- 41.7, respectively; p<0.001). A comparison of the 10 exitus patients and the 68 survivors revealed significantly higher YKL-40 levels in the exitus group (mean: 214.0 +/- 139.0 and 92.8 +/- 73.6, respectively; p=0.001). A receiver operating characteristic analysis for YKL-40 levels to distinguish between severe and non-severe patients found an area under the curve of 0.925. YKL-40 levels were measured with a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 84% with a cutoff value of 90.7ng/mL. YKL-40 levels measured at the time of hospital presentation in patients with CCHF can be used as a biomarker for clinical course and prognosis.

Journal

PATHOGENS AND GLOBAL HEALTH

Year

2024

Volume

118

Issue

6

Pages

492-498

ISSN

2047-7724

eISSN

2047-7732

DOI

10.1080/20477724.2024.2392225

WoS UID

WOS:001291782400001