Mohamed Kacem Ben Fradj

Dr. Mohamed Kacem Ben Fradj


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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19 November 2025 in Microorganisms
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ABAmani Bouabdallah
Amani Bouabdallah
MFMohamed Kacem Ben Fradj
Mohamed Kacem Ben Fradj
MHMohamed Bessem Hammami
Mohamed Bessem Hammami
RARim Abdelmalek
Rim Abdelmalek
HSHaifa Sanhaji
Haifa Sanhaji
MFMoncef Feki
Moncef Feki
Severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with abnormal innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as systemic alterations, including a shift in lipid network. A case–control study was conducted to describe the systemic lipidomic profile in COVID-19 according to disease severity. Selected polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), oxylipins, and endocannabinoids were analysed using a targeted liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem method. Multivariate receiver operating characteristic curve-based model evaluation was performed to define a lipidomic signature for the disease. A total of 135 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, of whom 85 had severe form, and 134 healthy individuals were included. Patients exhibited increased levels of free PUFAs, proinflammatory and pro-resolving oxylipins, and endocannabinoids compared to controls. A combination of five lipid mediators, i.e., prostaglandin D2, prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2, lipoxin B4, and 2-archidonylglycerol, discriminates patients from control individuals with excellent accuracy [AUC, 0.977 (0.950–0.995)]. The severe form is characterized by an imbalance between proinflammatory and pro-resolving oxylipins and increased endocannabinoids. COVID-19 is associated with a lipid storm that conditions disease severity. Targeting lipid mediators-related metabolic and signalling pathways could be an interesting therapeutic option in severe forms.