Serum Levels of UCHL1 and S100B in COVID-19 and Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Comparative Study in Erbil City, KRG, Iraq

Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) and S100B are proteins involved in neuronal development and damage. Their levels in serum have been proposed as potential biomarkers for various neurological conditions, including COVID-19 and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The study aimed to compare serum levels of UCHL1 and S100B among COVID-19 patients, MS patients, and healthy controls, and to assess the correlation between these biomarkers in the context of COVID-19. This cross-sectional study included 91 COVID-19 patients, 29 MS patients, and 50 healthy controls from the Kurdistan Region (KRG) of Iraq. Serum levels of UCHL1 and S100B were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. COVID-19 patients exhibited elevated mean levels of UCHL1 (54.45 ng/mL) and S100B (13.09 ng/mL) compared to controls (UCHL1: 17.72 ng/mL, S100B: 4.94 ng/mL). The MS group showed even higher levels (UCHL1: 87.07 ng/mL, S100B: 22.30 ng/mL). A weak and non-significant correlation between UCHL1 and S100B levels (r = 0.096, p = 0.212) in the COVID-19 cohort was observed. Elevated serum levels of UCHL1 and S100B in patients suggest their potential as biomarkers for COVID-19 and MS. The absence of a significant correlation between them in COVID-19 patients may indicate independent pathological pathways.