Researchers consider they have found a biomarker in the descent for discriminating COVID-19 , which could permit for a symptomatic mental testing to indicate knockout disease .

The discipline focused on patients with acuteCOVID-19and identified high level of interleukin-26 ( IL-26 ) . This is a signaling molecule in the ancestry that typically promotes bacterial and host cell last , but it appears to also have a function in campaign the viral contagion too .

Whilevaccinesare doing well at fighting off COVID-19 infection , the researcher argue that a better symptomatic test and right treatment for severely ill affected role are desperately needed .

“ We need to understand more about underlying immunological mechanisms in parliamentary law to determine sound treatment . There is also a penury for improve nosology in COVID-19 patients , ” says Eduardo Cardenas , principal generator of the work , in astatement .

The study focused on grand signaling mote that could point COVID-19 infection – in special , cytokine call for in calling an resistant reception to an area . They first enquire whether ( IL-26 ) play any role in COVID-19 contagion , as it has been implicated in virus infections before .

Taking 49 patients that had been hospitalized with the virus ( 44 of which necessitate atomic number 8 therapy ) and 27 healthy command , the researchers mensurate the number of seditious mark and IL-26 in their blood .

In patients with needlelike COVID-19 , IL-26 and other markers of inflammation were markedly elevate , which correlate with “ do n’t eat me ” signals present on immune cellular phone . In those with gamey point of IL-26 , there were increased markers of tissue paper price ( lactate dehydrogenase ) .

When these marking were higher , it powerfully correlated withcytokine stormsin the patients , which is a withering and life - threaten complication involve an overactive immune organization .

The researcher conceive that not only could IL-26 be a probable biomarker for acute COVID-19 , but it could also be a quarry for new therapy .

“ We can show for the first time that blood levels of the cytokine IL-26 are much higher in patients with COVID-19 than in healthy controls , ” say Dr Cardenas .

“ Our discovery give us a potential biomarker for austere COVID-19 , but given the antiviral effects of IL-26 , we may also have identified a novel therapeutic target , ” continued co - author Professor Anders Lindén .

The study was write inFrontiers in Immunology .