Affiliations: [a] Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq | [b] Department of Educational Laboratories, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Halah Kadhim, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. Tel.: +964 7736322450; E-mail: hala.jabbar1100a@ige.uobaghdad.edu.iq.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors, including miR-155, which affects immune cell and virus functions and laboratory biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluates miR-155’s role as a biomarker for SARS-CoV-2 detection and monitoring, examining its significance in identifying infection in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals using ROC curve analysis. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 70 patients who attended Medical City Hospital in Baghdad from June 2022 to April 2023 and were determined to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 (35 patients were hospitalized at the Intensive Care Units due to the severity of their symptoms while the other 35 were left in the hospital upon treatment.). Additionally, 35 samples were collected as a healthy control group. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-155 in the serum of samples showed a high level (fold change: 9.81 ± 5.50) in the severe patients’ group in comparison with the moderate patients’ group (fold change: 4.17 ± 2.93) and healthy group (fold change: 1.08 ± 0.01). To assess the performance of miR-155 and laboratory biomarkers, a (ROC) curve was utilized to determine the sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The miR-155 gene, overexpressed in SARS-CoV-2 patients, correlates with disease activity and severity, potentially serving as a biomarker for diagnosis and a potential therapeutic target.
