Up-regulated serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-22 in Egyptian pediatric patients with COVID-19 and MIS-C: Relation to the disease outcome

Both IL-17A and IL-22 share cellular sources and signaling pathways. They have synergistic action on epithelial cells to stimulate their production of antimicrobial peptides which are protective against infections. However, both interleukins may contribute to ARDS pathology if their production is not controlled. This study aimed to investigate serum levels of IL-17A and IL-22 in relation to the disease outcome in patients with SARS-CoV-2. Serum IL-17A and IL-22 were measured by ELISA in 40 patients with SARS-CoV-2, aged between 2 months and 16 years, (18 had COVID-19 and 22 had multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children “MIS–C”) in comparison to 48 age- and sex-matched healthy control children. Patients with COVID-19 and MIS–C had significantly higher serum IL-17A and IL-22 levels than healthy control children (P < 0.001). Increased serum IL-17A and IL-22 levels were found in all patients. Elevated CRP and serum ferritin levels were found in 90% of these patients. Lymphopenia, neutrophilia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and elevated ALT, LDH and D-dimer were found in 45%, 42.5 %, 2.5%, 30%, 32.5%, 82.5%, and 65%, respectively of these patients. There were non-significant differences between patients who recovered and those who died or had a residual illness in serum levels of IL-17A, IL-22 and the routine inflammatory markers of COVID-19. In conclusions, serum IL-17A and IL-22 levels were up-regulated in all patients with COVID-19 and MIS–C. Levels of serum IL-17A, IL-22 and the routine inflammatory markers of COVID-19 were not correlated with the disease outcome. Our conclusions are limited by the sample size.