The ratio of immunocompetent cells, immunoglobulins and cytokines in individuals with a comorbid background after COVID-19 in the Arctic region

BACKGROUND: The level of resistance to the effects of the environmental factors among people living in the North is significantly reduced due to slower development of the immune system in children and a lower reserve capabilities of immune reactions among adults. This is important in the context of a new coronavirus infection. Respiratory diseases are the main causes of morbidity among the residents of the North. Little is known about the state of immune homeostasis after COVID-19 among residents of the Arctic with a history of chronic respiratory diseases.

AIM: To identify concentrations of immunocompetent cells, immunoglobulins, and cytokines after COVID-19 in individuals with a comorbid background.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 45 residents of Arkhangelsk including 25 women and 20 men, aged 18–40 with a history of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 (U07.1) of mild or moderate severity comprised the sample. All the study participants had a history of concomitant chronic bronchitis.

RESULTS: In women, high values of cellular immunological parameters CD8⁺ and CD95⁺, as well as immunoglobulins IgM, IgG, IgE were associated with elevated values of cytokine IL-1β in 17–45% of cases, depending on the indicator (all p <0.01). Only in 10% of cases we observed increased content of IL-10 and TNF-α. In men, high concentrations of CD8⁺ and CD95⁺ cells were associated with increased levels of IgA (5%), IgM, IgG, IgE (13–25%). Seventeen percent of cases had high levels of IL-10 and 15% had high concentrations of TNF-α.

CONCLUSIONS: Young residents of the North with a history of chronic bronchitis after Covid-19 of mild or moderate severity have high concentrations of CD8⁺ and CD95⁺ cells, IgM, IgG, IgE, IL-10 and TNF-α c low concentrations combined with CD10⁺ and IL-4 cells.