DIAGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 BASED ON CLINICAL AND LABORATORY DATA

Authors:

Abstract:

Lactate dehydrogenase is an intracellular enzyme that reflects the degree of tissue damage and the intensity of the inflammatory response. In COVID-19 infection, increased lactate dehydrogenase activity is associated with cytolytic damage to lung, liver, and heart cells, as well as the development of systemic hypoxia and metabolic dysfunction. A retrospective analysis of 102 patients treated between June and December 2020 was conducted. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was measured at hospital admission using an automated biochemical analyzer, Cobas c311 (Roche Diagnostics GmbH), in accordance with international laboratory quality standards. The patients were divided into two groups: those with mild-to-moderate disease (n=82) and those with severe disease (n=20). The markers of severity according to which the distribution took place were: saturation (SpO2), computed tomography readings (CT1-4), and the level of C-reactive protein. The average LDH level in the group with a severe course was 913.3±84.7 u/l, significantly higher than in the group with mild/moderate severity (458.0±62.4 u/l; p<0.001). Elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels correlated with elevated ferritin, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer concentrations, indicating systemic inflammation, severe tissue hypoxia, and cellular stress. The observed relationship between lactate dehydrogenase activity and the severity of COVID-19 confirms the pathogenetic role of this enzyme in the development of cytokine storm and multiple organ dysfunction.

Keywords:

COVID-19 lactate dehydrogenase biomarkers inflammation cytolysis hypoxia prognosis severity of the disease laboratory diagnostics

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Publication:

«World of Medicine and Biology» Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026) , с. 135-139
УДК 578.834.1; 577.11; 616.98:616.24-002

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26724/2079-8334-2026-1-95-135-139