A PhD thesis at the College of Science, University of Karbala, discussed molecular immunodetection and the polymorphism of certain chemokines and the interleukin-6 receptor in COVID-19 patients with pneumonia.

The study, presented by Durgham Hassan Shati from the Biology Department , aimed to evaluate certain molecular and immunological parameters in COVID-19 patients and their association with the variability of COVID-19 symptoms.

The study concluded that there is a positive correlation between immunological and viral factors and the variability of COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, it identified the TA genotype of the rs4845374-IL6R variant and the AC genotype of the rs2228145-IL6R variant as protective factors, while the GA genotype of the rs1799864-CCR2 variant was considered a risk factor.

The study recommended the use of COVID-19 protein levels and serum levels of IL-6R and CCR2 as routine assessments for each COVID-19 case, as their levels are significantly associated with the severity of the disease.