Serum mannose-binding lectin and C-reactive protein are potential biomarkers for patients with community-acquired...

The aim of this study was to identify whether mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and C-reactive protein (CRP) may be used as clinical biomarkers for predicting outcome of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) by tracking serum MBL and CRP level changes during a time course.

One hundred four patients with CAP and 100 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. The patients were further divided into Survivor and Death groups based on 30-day mortality. The MBL and CRP levels in these patients at pre- and post-treatments at days 4 and 7 were determined using an immunoturbidimetric assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Compared to the control group, the MBL and CRP levels in the CAP group were significantly higher. CRP levels in the CAP group significantly reduced within 1 week following anti-infection and other supporting therapies including anti-phlegm and liquidation. MBL levels were significantly higher in the Survivor group than in the Death group (p<0.05). On the contrary, CRP levels were significantly higher in the Death group than in the Survivor group (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the serum MBL and CRP levels in all patients following the treatments.

Both the MBL and CRP can serve as inflammatory markers in predicting the outcome of patients with CAP.