Galectin-3: Can It Be A Diagnostic Tool For Pneumonia In COVID-19 Patients?

Kartal Baykan, Emine; Şebin, Engin; Karaşahin, Ömer; Baykan, Ahmed Ramiz; Cerrah, Serkan; Göğebakan, Hasan; Sevinç, Can; Kahraman, Mustafa; Coşkun Yavuz, Yasemin

BACKGROUND/AIM Biochemical markers are needed to show lung involvement in COVID-19 disease. Galectin-3 is known to play a key role in the inflammation and fibrosis process. We aimed to evaluate the predictive role of Galectin-3 levels for pneumonia in patients with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHOD Total of 176 patients with COVID-19, confirmed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, admitted to the Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital was analyzed. The study was designed as a cross sectional. The baseline data of laboratory examinations, including galectin-3 were collected at the time of diagnosis. CT images evaluated by a single radiologist according to the recommendation of the Radiological Society of North America Expert Consensus Document for pulmonary involvement. The severity of COVID-19 pneumonia was assessed using the total severity score. RESULTS The mean Galectin-3 level in patients with typical pneumonia was found to be significantly higher than those patients with atypical (p<0.01) and indeterminate appearance (p<0.01) and patients without pneumonia (p: <0.01). The severity of lung involvement was significantly associated with Galectin-3 levels (p<0.01 r: 0.76). Stepwise logistic regression model showed that the levels of ferritin (odds ratio [OR] = 0.05, p:0.08) and Galectin-3 (OR = 0.1, p:<0.01) were significantly and independently associated with typical pneumonia in COVID-19 patients. When COVID-19 patients were evaluated in terms of typical pneumonia, we determined a cut-off value of 18,9 ng/ml for Galectin-3 via ROC analysis. (87% sensitivity; 73% specificity; Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.89; p<0.001) Conclusion: Galectin-3 was found as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 associated typical pneumonia and as an indicator of both pneumonia and its severity.