Investigation on the relationship between serum periostin, MMP-7, TGF-β, and IL-18 levels and the clinical course and prognosis of COVID-19.

Cytokines are involved in the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance and have been shown to play an important role in the course of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of periostin, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) levels with clinical course and mortality in patients with early COVID-19 pneumonia.