The Role of IL-6 and IL-17 in SARS CoV-2 Patients with Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia

The current study was conducted in Kirkuk city at Al-Shifaa 14 hospital from November 2021 to March 2022, indicated the bacteria causing secondary pneumonia isolated from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients and the role of IL-6 and IL-17 in these infection. Sputum samples were used to obtain the bacterial isolates, and API testing was used to confirm the species level identification. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (sandwich ELISA), the levels of IL-6 and IL-17 in the blood were evaluated. The study documented several bacterial species in a single infection (56/87.5%) or mixed bacterial infection (8/12.5%). The most common isolated bacteria species was Klebsiella pneumoniae (35.95%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (31.25%), E. coli (17.19%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.94%), and (1.56%) for each of Klebsiella oxytoca, Acinetobacter baumannii and Cronobacter sakazakii. The study recorded a high significant difference (P <0.01) between the patients (22.2±6.82) pg/mL and the control group (58.39±11.15) pg/ mL concerning IL-6 also a high significant difference (P <0.01) between the patients (101.79±27.13) pg/mL and the control group (58.39±11.15) pg/mL concerning IL-17. In conclusion, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus were the predominant isolated bacteria from COVID-19 patient's lung and there was a highly significant increase in IL-6 and IL-17 levels in secondary bacterial pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.