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Evolution of cytokines/chemokines in cases with community-acquired pneumonia and distinct etiologies

Eduardo C Nascimento-Carvalho1,2, Ângela G Vasconcellos3, Jorge Clarêncio2

  • 1Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Bahiana Foundation for Science Development, Salvador, Brazil.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|September 26, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels significantly increased during the acute phase of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, suggesting IL-6 is a potential biomarker for pneumococcal infections in pediatric CAP cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Immunology
  • Respiratory medicine

Background:

  • Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of hospitalization in children under five.
  • Identifying the etiological agent of CAP is crucial for appropriate treatment and management.
  • Cytokine and chemokine profiles offer insights into the host's immune response during infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare systemic cytokine and chemokine levels over time in children hospitalized with CAP, differentiating between those with and without pneumococcal infection.
  • To identify potential biomarkers for pneumococcal pneumonia in pediatric CAP.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study of children under five hospitalized with CAP in Salvador, Brazil.
  • Collection of clinical data and serum samples for etiological investigation and cytokine/chemokine level analysis at admission and follow-up.
  • Analysis of 20 etiological agents and measurement of serum cytokines/chemokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Main Results:

  • Of 129 children with established etiology, 31 (24.0%) had pneumococcal infection.
  • Convalescent serum samples showed significantly higher levels of IL-6, IL-10, and CCL2, and lower levels of CXCL10 compared to acute samples.
  • While IL-10, CCL2, and CXCL10 levels did not differ between groups, IL-6 levels decreased in patients with pneumococcal infection and increased in those without.

Conclusions:

  • A marked increase in serum IL-6 levels during the acute phase of CAP in children suggests its potential as a biomarker for pneumococcal infection.
  • Further research is warranted to validate IL-6 as a reliable diagnostic marker for pneumococcal CAP in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
acute respiratory infectionchildlower respiratory tract infectionlung diseasepneumococcal infection

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