AUTHOR=Xu Enjun , Li Tao , Chen Qiuli , Wang Zhongxin , Xu Yuanhong TITLE=Study on the Effect and Application Value of Heat-Inactivated Serum on the Detection of Thyroid Function, Tumor Markers, and Cytokines During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.742067 DOI=10.3389/fmed.2021.742067 ISSN=2296-858X ABSTRACT=Purpose: This study explored the impact of heat inactivation of blood samples on specific clinical test results and its application value during the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. We tried to provide a reference for clinical testing methods during the pandemic. Methods: We selected blood samples from our department's routine clinical examination between January 2021 and June 2021 as the research objects. These samples were classified as high-, medium-, and low-value (n = 30 cases/group) for quantitative detection of these indicators. Also, the specimens were classified as negative, weakly positive, and positive (n = 20 cases/group) for qualitative testing of the indicators. Then, these specimens were inactivated, and the differences in relevant indicators before and after inactivation were observed. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the levels of TSH, T3, FT4, FT3, AFP, NSE, CYFRA211, IRI, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-2R, and TNF-α in the non-inactivated group 1 and the inactivated group 1 (P < 0.05). Among them, there was a strong correlation between TSH, T3, FT4, FT3, CYFRA211, IRI, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-2R levels in the two groups (P < 0.05), while there was no correlation between AFP (P = 0.256) and NSE (P = 0.352) levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). The detection values of low-level AFP (< 4 ng/mL), IL-10, and TNF-α after inactivation were all lower than the detection limit. There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of tumor markers, such as CEA, CA125, CA724, CA199, CA153, and the quantitative levels of T4, CRP, Vit. D, HCG, CPS, and five items of hepatitis B (P > 0.05). After correction by the regression equation, the levels of TSH, T3, FT4, FT3, CYFRA211, IRI, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-2R were not significantly different from those before inactivation (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The heat inactivation of blood samples had different effects on different test indicators, and some indicators could be corrected by regression equations. This detection method could be used during the SARS-CoV-2 virus epidemic, which could effectively prevent iatrogenic infections.