Maja Tolušić Levak

Dr. Maja Tolušić Levak


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 July 2024 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZDZdravka Krivdic Dupan
Zdravka Krivdic Dupan
VPVlatka Periša
Vlatka Periša
MSMirjana Suver Stevic
Mirjana Suver Stevic
Martina MihaljMartina Mihalj
Martina Mihalj
Maja Tolušić LevakMaja Tolušić Levak
Maja Tolušić Levak
NNNenad Nešković
Nenad Nešković
Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the pentraxin 3 (PTX3) serum level and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism on the severity of radiographic pulmonary infiltrates and the clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Methods: The severity of COVID-19 pulmonary infiltrates was evaluated within a week of admission by analyzing chest X-rays (CXR) using the modified Brixia (MBrixa) scoring system. The insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism of the ACE gene and the serum levels of PTX3 were determined for all patients included in the study. Results: This study included 80 patients. Using a cut-off serum level of PTX3 ≥ 2.765 ng/mL, the ROC analysis (AUC 0.871, 95% CI 0.787–0.954, p < 0.001) showed a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 78.8% in predicting severe MBrixa scores. Compared to ACE I/I polymorphism, D/D polymorphism significantly increased the risk of severe CXR infiltrates, OR 7.7 (95% CI: 1.9–30.1), and p = 0.002. Significant independent predictors of severe CXR infiltrates include hypertension (OR 7.71), PTX3 (OR 1.20), and ACE D/D polymorphism (OR 18.72). Hypertension (OR 6.91), PTX3 (OR 1.47), and ACE I/I polymorphism (OR 0.09) are significant predictors of poor outcomes. Conclusion: PTX3 and ACE D/D polymorphism are significant predictors of the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. PTX3 is a significant predictor of death.