# Cytokine Dynamics in Severe COVID-19 vs. Influenza A Elderly Patients: A Prospective Comparative Study

## TL;DR

This study compares cytokine levels in elderly patients with severe COVID-19 and influenza A, finding early differences that converge over time.

## Contribution

The study provides direct comparative cytokine data in elderly patients with severe respiratory infections from COVID-19 and influenza A.

## Key findings

- Elderly patients with COVID-19 had higher IL-6, IL-10, and CXCL10 levels on Day 1 compared to influenza A patients.
- Baseline IL-6 independently predicted the need for non-invasive ventilation in elderly patients.
- Cytokine levels in both groups converged by Day 5 of hospitalization.

## Abstract

COVID-19 and influenza A (FluA) cause severe respiratory infections in elderly patients, with cytokine dysregulation playing a central role. Direct comparative data in older adults remains limited. We aimed to characterize cytokine dynamics and their prognostic value in hospitalized elderly patients with COVID-19 vs. FluA. We performed a prospective cohort study including adults ≥ 60 years hospitalized with respiratory failure due to COVID-19 or FluA between March 2023 and March 2024. Serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-34, MCP-1, and CXCL10 were measured on Day 1 and Day 5 of hospitalization using Luminex®. Cytokines and associations with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) were assessed by ROC analysis and multivariate logistic regression. 83 patients were included (39 COVID-19, median age 79 years; 44 FluA, median 77 years). At Day 1, COVID-19 exhibited significantly higher IL-6, IL-10, and CXCL10; FluA showed an attenuated cytokine response. At Day 5, cytokines declined in both groups. Baseline IL-6 independently predicted NIV (adjusted OR 3.02), whereas higher MCP-1 was associated with reduced NIV requirement. Early cytokine differences between COVID-19 and FluA are evident in elderly patients, but values converged by Day 5. IL-6 remains an informative early predictor of respiratory deterioration; MCP-1 may reflect a regulated innate response.