Longitudinal metabolite profiling of Streptococcus pneumoniae-associated community-acquired pneumonia

Longitudinal biomarkers in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) may help in monitoring of disease progression and treatment response. The metabolic host response could be a potential source of such biomarkers since it closely associates with the current health status of the patient.

In this study we performed longitudinal metabolite profiling in patients with CAP for a comprehensive range of metabolites to identify potential host response biomarkers.

Previously collected serum samples from CAP patients with confirmed Streptococcus pneumoniae infection (n = 25) were used. Samples were collected at multiple time points, up to 30 days after admission. A wide range of metabolites was measured, including amines, acylcarnitines, organic acids, and lipids. The associations between metabolites and C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, CURB disease severity score at admission, and total length of stay were evaluated.

Distinct longitudinal profiles of metabolite profiles were identified, including cholesteryl esters, diacyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, diacylglycerols, lysophosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelin, and triglycerides. Positive correlations were found between CRP and phosphatidylcholine (34:1) (cor = 0.63) and negative correlations were found for CRP and nine lysophosphocholines (cor = - 0.57 to - 0.74). The CURB disease severity score was negatively associated with six metabolites, including acylcarnitines (tau = - 0.64 to - 0.58). Negative correlations were found between the length of stay and six triglycerides (TGs), especially TGs (60:3) and (58:2) (cor = - 0.63 and - 0.61).

The identified metabolites may provide insight into biological mechanisms underlying disease severity and may be of interest for exploration as potential treatment response monitoring biomarker.