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Gene & Protein in Disease Interleukins-1β, interleukin-8, and the SARS-CoV-2

2.3. cDNA synthesis and real-time qPCR or SARS and were not administered any dose of vaccine;

cDNA was synthesized using the High-Capacity cDNA and (3) patients without SARS-CoV-2 and non-vaccinated
Reverse Transcription Kit (Applied Biosystems , USA), (ND): This group included patients who did not present
™
according to the manufacturer’s protocol, using the any symptoms of influenza syndrome or SARS (Table 1).
automatic thermal cycler GeneAmp PCR System 9700 All patients who were considered SARS-CoV-2-positive
were diagnosed using RT-PCR.
(Applied Biosystems) with the following conditions: 25°C
for 10 min, 37°C for 60 min (2 times), 85°C for 5 min, and The CoronaVac/Sinovac vaccine was administered to the
then 4°C at the end of the thermal cycle. group vaccinated against COVID-19. This is an attenuated
viral vaccine consisting of two doses with an interval of
RT-PCR was used to analyze gene expression using
the ABI Prism 7500 Fast Sequence Detection System 14 days each, with a confirmed global efficacy of 62.3% and
an efficacy of 50% and associated with serious cases.
Equipment. qPCR was performed using TaqMan assays to
evaluate IL-1β (Hs 01555410_m1), IL-8 (Hs9999034_m1), According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, an
and IL-1RN (Hs00893626_m1). UBC (Hs00824723_m1) individual is defined as having influenza syndrome when
and GPDH (02758991_m1) were used for normalization. they present with an acute respiratory condition, which
The reaction was performed in duplicate for each of the should include at least two of the following clinical signs
mentioned genes. The groups were compared with the ND and symptoms: fever, chills, headache, myalgia, malaise,
group to evaluate the relative quantification (RQ) of the cough, runny nose, and olfactory or taste disorders. An
expression using the 2-^Ct method. 20 individual is defined as having SARS when they exhibit
influenza syndrome associated with dyspnea or respiratory
2.4. Description of the study design discomfort, pressure or persistent pain in the chest, oxygen
This was a qualitative, cross-sectional, comparative, and saturation of 95% in room air, or cyanosis.
randomized observational study conducted at the Genetics 2.5. Statistical analysis
Laboratory of the Hemocenter of the Hospital das Clínicas
of the Faculty of Medicine of Marília (HC-FAMEMA) from Qualitative variables were described using absolute and
September 2020 to December 2021 and was approved by relative frequency distributions (%). The relationship between
the Research Ethics Committee (case number 4.414.477). qualitative variables was analyzed using the Chi-square
All patients agreed to participate in the study. association test. Quantitative variables were described using
mean values and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Normal
2.4.1. Description of participants distribution was confirmed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test,
We collected 127 nasal and/or oral swabs from patients of and the homogeneity of variances was evaluated using Levene’s
both sexes. All participants were aged ≥18 years. The swabs test. Welch’s test was used to compare the mean values of
were stored in graduated conical tubes containing 3 mL independent groups, followed by the post hoc Games–Howell
of sterile saline solution until analysis. Sample collection test. A significance level of 5% was adopted, and data were
was performed from September 2020 to June 2021 at the analyzed using the SPSS software (version 24.0).
Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Marília 3. Results
(HC FAMEMA), São Paulo, Brazil. Patients were on the
2 and 10 day of influenza syndrome or SARS symptoms, 3.1. SARS-CoV-2 detection
nd
th
presenting at least three clinical manifestations that were The 127 samples were categorized into three groups
grouped into influenza syndrome and SARS, according to according to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 through
the recommendations of the Brazilian Ministry of Health.
2.4.2. Description of variables/groups Table 1. Description of the groups analyzed in the study

Patients were divided into three groups, i.e., (1) those Total Average Average interval Gender
with SARS-CoV-2 and vaccinated (DVAC): This group n (%) age±SD between CS and Male Female
collection±SD
was composed of patients who were symptomatic for n (%) n (%)
influenza syndrome or SARS and SARS-CoV-2 who DVAC 40 (31.5) 40±13.48 3.92±1.48 32 (80) 8 (20)
were administered two doses of the CoronaVac/Sinovac DNVAC 43 (33.8) 46.9±15.34 4.44±1.44 22 (51.1) 21 (41.8)
vaccine and their last dose had been administered at least ND 44 (34.6) 60.4±22.99 5.22±2.38 23 (52.2) 21 (47.3)
30 days before the study; (2) patients with SARS-CoV-2 Abbreviations: DVAC: Vaccinated detectable (with SARS-CoV-2);
and non-vaccinated (DNVAC): This group consisted of DNVAC: With SARS-CoV-2 and not vaccinated; ND: Without
patients who were symptomatic for influenza syndrome SARS-CoV-2; SD: Standard deviation; CS: Clinical signs.

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2024) 3 doi: 10.36922/gpd.4076