Analysis of Biomarker Levels in Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Serum, and Saliva Across Different Health Conditions

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17), Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), apeli...

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Main Authors: Mina Pencheva, Neshka Manchorova-Veleva, David Baruh, Georgi Rusinov, Lyubomir Vangelov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/324
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author Mina Pencheva
Neshka Manchorova-Veleva
David Baruh
Georgi Rusinov
Lyubomir Vangelov
author_facet Mina Pencheva
Neshka Manchorova-Veleva
David Baruh
Georgi Rusinov
Lyubomir Vangelov
author_sort Mina Pencheva
collection DOAJ
description Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17), Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), apelin (AP), and vitamin D (VD) biomarkers in nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), serum, and saliva, as well as the change in their values depending on the health status of individuals. Material and methods: The analysis was performed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Results: Comparing the levels of the investigated markers in saliva, we found significantly elevated ACE2 values in vaccinated patients, followed by those with severe COVID-19, compared to healthy, previously infected, and mild COVID-19 groups. For TMPRSS2, IL-17A, ADAM-17, and AP, values were significantly higher in all non-healthy groups (previously infected, mild, and severe COVID-19) compared to healthy individuals. Serum levels of VD were consistently low across all five studied groups, suggesting values below normal ranges. Analysis of marker data in saliva, NPS, and serum revealed a positive correlation between NPS and serum and saliva and serum, as well as between saliva and NPS for all studied markers. Conclusions: In summary, monitoring changes in biomarkers present in Saliva holds promise as a predictive tool for various diseases. This approach enables the early implementation of preventive measures and protective strategies, potentially improving overall health outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-a1e2bdc4738e445a86a651564457be632025-08-20T02:44:39ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-02-0115232410.3390/life15020324Analysis of Biomarker Levels in Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Serum, and Saliva Across Different Health ConditionsMina Pencheva0Neshka Manchorova-Veleva1David Baruh2Georgi Rusinov3Lyubomir Vangelov4Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, BulgariaDepartment of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, BulgariaDepartment of Software Engineering, Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 1164 Sofia, BulgariaClinic of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital St. George JSC in Plovdiv, 4021 Plovdiv, BulgariaDepartment of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, BulgariaBackground: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17), Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), apelin (AP), and vitamin D (VD) biomarkers in nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), serum, and saliva, as well as the change in their values depending on the health status of individuals. Material and methods: The analysis was performed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Results: Comparing the levels of the investigated markers in saliva, we found significantly elevated ACE2 values in vaccinated patients, followed by those with severe COVID-19, compared to healthy, previously infected, and mild COVID-19 groups. For TMPRSS2, IL-17A, ADAM-17, and AP, values were significantly higher in all non-healthy groups (previously infected, mild, and severe COVID-19) compared to healthy individuals. Serum levels of VD were consistently low across all five studied groups, suggesting values below normal ranges. Analysis of marker data in saliva, NPS, and serum revealed a positive correlation between NPS and serum and saliva and serum, as well as between saliva and NPS for all studied markers. Conclusions: In summary, monitoring changes in biomarkers present in Saliva holds promise as a predictive tool for various diseases. This approach enables the early implementation of preventive measures and protective strategies, potentially improving overall health outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/324ACE2biomarkersbody fluidCOVID-19infectious diseases
spellingShingle Mina Pencheva
Neshka Manchorova-Veleva
David Baruh
Georgi Rusinov
Lyubomir Vangelov
Analysis of Biomarker Levels in Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Serum, and Saliva Across Different Health Conditions
Life
ACE2
biomarkers
body fluid
COVID-19
infectious diseases
title Analysis of Biomarker Levels in Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Serum, and Saliva Across Different Health Conditions
title_full Analysis of Biomarker Levels in Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Serum, and Saliva Across Different Health Conditions
title_fullStr Analysis of Biomarker Levels in Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Serum, and Saliva Across Different Health Conditions
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of Biomarker Levels in Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Serum, and Saliva Across Different Health Conditions
title_short Analysis of Biomarker Levels in Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Serum, and Saliva Across Different Health Conditions
title_sort analysis of biomarker levels in nasopharyngeal swabs serum and saliva across different health conditions
topic ACE2
biomarkers
body fluid
COVID-19
infectious diseases
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/324
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