Elevated soluble CD26 levels in patients with tuberculous pleurisy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Tuberculosis infection triggers a Th1-like immune response, characterized by increased interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).
• CD26 expression on CD4+ lymphocytes correlates with Th1-like cytokine production.
• The potential role of CD26 in tuberculous pleurisy diagnosis remains to be elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis that CD26 expression increases in tuberculous pleural effusion.
• To evaluate soluble CD26 as a potential diagnostic marker for tuberculous pleurisy.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of soluble CD26 levels in serum and pleural fluid from patients with tuberculous pleurisy (TB), carcinomatous pleurisy (CA), empyema (EM), and congestive heart failure (HF).
• Correlation analysis of pleural CD26 levels with adenosine deaminase and IFN-gamma in tuberculous pleural effusion.
• Determination of diagnostic accuracy using a cut-off value for pleural CD26 (p-CD26).

Main Results:

• Pleural CD26 levels were significantly higher in TB patients compared to CA, EM, and HF groups.
• Serum CD26 levels did not show significant differences across the groups.
• Pleural CD26 levels correlated positively with adenosine deaminase and IFN-gamma in tuberculous pleural effusion.
• A p-CD26 cut-off value of 544.5 ng/ml yielded a significantly higher positive rate for the TB group.

Conclusions:

• Elevated soluble CD26 in pleural fluid is associated with the Th1-like immune response in tuberculous pleurisy.
• Soluble CD26 in pleural fluid may serve as a valuable biomarker for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy.
• Further research is warranted to confirm the diagnostic utility of soluble CD26 in tuberculous pleurisy.