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Salivary and serum analysis in children diagnosed with pneumonia
Adi Klein Kremer1, Ela Kuzminsky, Lea Bentur
1Department of Pediatrics, Hillel Yafe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.
Insights
Saliva analysis offers a novel, non-invasive method for diagnosing childhood pneumonia. This study found significant differences in salivary biomarkers, suggesting saliva can complement serum tests for pediatric respiratory illness.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Pneumonia diagnosis in children often relies on invasive methods.
- Non-invasive biomarkers for pediatric pneumonia are needed.
- Previous studies have not evaluated salivary biomarkers in children with pneumonia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess specific inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in saliva for diagnosing pneumonia in children.
- To compare salivary biomarker profiles with routine serum analysis.
- To establish saliva analysis as a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool for pediatric pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- Saliva and serum samples were collected from 15 children with lobar pneumonia and 16 healthy controls.
- Analyzed salivary flow rate and concentrations of various biochemical parameters (uric acid, Ca, P, Mg, LDH, total protein, amylase, albumin).
- Compared salivary findings with routine serum analysis, including white blood cell counts and electrolytes.
Main Results:
- Children with pneumonia had a lower salivary flow rate and uric acid concentration.
- Significantly higher salivary concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, LDH, total protein, amylase, and albumin were observed in pneumonia patients.
- Serum analysis showed elevated white blood cells and neutrophils, and lower sodium levels in the pneumonia group.
- Salivary alterations (42-275%) were more pronounced than serum compositional changes (3-80%).
Conclusions:
- Saliva analysis reveals significant biomarker alterations in children with pneumonia.
- Salivary analysis is a promising, non-invasive tool for diagnosing and monitoring pediatric pneumonia.
- The patient-friendly nature of saliva collection makes it ideal for pediatric applications.
Abstract:
The aim of the current study was to evaluate specific markers for pneumonia by using a non-invasive assessment of inflammatory/oxidative biomarkers in saliva accompanying a routine serum analysis. No study evaluating saliva of children with pneumonia has been published previously. Salivary analysis was performed in 15 children diagnosed with lobar pneumonia and in a parallel group of 16 children matching in age and gender in whom there was no respiratory illness, and compared to the serum analysis obtained routinely in both groups of children. Salivary flow rate was lower in the patients' group as was uric acid concentration (by 60%). Increase in salivary concentrations of almost all parameters analyzed was found: Ca, P, and Mg concentrations were higher in the patients' group by 23%, 55%, and 33%, respectively, while LDH, total protein amylase and albumin concentrations were higher by 275%, 79%, and 42%, respectively. In the serum, white cell counts and neutrophils were significantly higher, and sodium level significantly lower in the patients' group. Compositional changes were in the range of 3-80% while the saliva alterations were more profound, in the range of 42-275%. The results demonstrated in the current study indicate salivary analysis as a potentially novel tool for children with pneumonia. Human salivary collection and analysis is a non-invasive tool that could provide additional information for diagnosis and follow-up of pneumonia, especially in children. This is especially beneficial for pediatric patients, as salivary collection is simple, non-invasive, and patient-friendly.
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