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MUC5AC: A potential biomarker of severity in pediatric patients infected with influenza
Eduardo L López1,2, Fausto Martín Ferolla1, Santiago N Meza1
1Department of Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Program, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Insights
Low MUC5AC levels in children hospitalized with influenza may predict severe disease. This finding suggests MUC5AC could be a useful biomarker for identifying children at high risk of life-threatening influenza complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Severe influenza disproportionately affects previously healthy children, necessitating identification of high-risk individuals.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing severe pediatric influenza cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate MUC5AC as a potential biomarker for assessing influenza disease severity in children.
- To evaluate the association between MUC5AC levels and clinical outcomes in pediatric influenza patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study enrolled children hospitalized with acute respiratory infection and confirmed influenza.
- Influenza infection was confirmed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
- Life-threatening disease (LTD) was defined by the need for intensive care and ventilatory support.
Main Results:
- Of 49 children with confirmed influenza, 6 developed life-threatening disease.
- MUC5AC levels were significantly higher in children with mild influenza compared to those with poorer outcomes.
- Low MUC5AC levels were associated with increased influenza disease severity in children.
Conclusions:
- MUC5AC levels show a significant inverse correlation with influenza severity in children.
- MUC5AC demonstrates potential as a predictive biomarker for severe influenza in pediatric populations.
- Further research can validate MUC5AC for targeted interventions and improved clinical management of pediatric influenza.
Abstract:
Numerous factors can increase the risk of severe influenza; however, a majority of severe cases occur in previously healthy children. Identification of high-risk children is important for targeted preventive interventions and prompt treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate MUC5AC as a biomarker for influenza disease severity in children. For this, a prospective cohort study was conducted in 2019. Children hospitalized with acute respiratory infection (ARI) with confirmed positive influenza infection were enrolled. Influenza cases were identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Life-threatening disease (LTD) was defined by the need for intensive care and ventilatory support. MUC5AC, epidemiologic, and clinical risk factors were assessed. Three hundred and forty-two patients were hospitalized with ARI, of which 49 (14%) had confirmed influenza infection and 6 (12%) of them developed LTD. MUC5AC levels were higher in those patients with mild disease compared to cases with poorer outcomes. Our results show that the severity of influenza infection in children is significantly associated with low levels of MUC5AC. These findings suggest its potential as a suitable biomarker for predicting disease severity.
