Related Experiment Videos
Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations in children hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection
Insights
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) levels were elevated in children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI). These elevated TNF alpha concentrations normalized within five days of hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) is a common cause of childhood hospitalization.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in infection and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate TNF alpha concentrations in children with ALRI.
- To determine the association between TNF alpha levels and clinical parameters in pediatric ALRI.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum TNF alpha concentrations in 118 children hospitalized with ALRI.
- Patient data including age, fever duration, C-reactive protein levels, and clinical severity were collected.
Main Results:
- Elevated TNF alpha concentrations were observed in both viral and bacterial ALRI.
- Higher TNF alpha levels correlated with longer fever duration and increased C-reactive protein.
- TNF alpha levels normalized within 5 days of hospitalization, regardless of infection type.
Conclusions:
- TNF alpha is elevated during pediatric ALRI, irrespective of etiology.
- TNF alpha levels may serve as a biomarker for infection severity and duration.
- Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting TNF alpha in ALRI.
Abstract:
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in sera of 118 children (median age, 1.7 years; range, 2 months-15 years) hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI). Both viral and bacterial ALRI were associated with elevated concentrations of TNF alpha. Concentrations greater than 40 ng/l were seen in children with bacterial or mixed ALRI in 64% and with viral ALRI in 50% of cases. Elevated concentrations were associated with longer duration of fever before admission (P less than .05) and with a higher serum C-reactive protein concentration (P less than .05). There were no significant differences in TNF alpha concentrations between gram-positive and gram-negative infections, nor was there an association with clinical severity of ALRI. TNF alpha concentrations decreased in most patients to normal within 5 days of hospitalization, irrespective of the etiology of the infection.