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Monitoring treatment response using serial PTX3 levels in chronic and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

Shiang-Fen Huang1, Fu-Der Wang2, Chia-Chang Huang3

  • 1Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|August 19, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels can monitor treatment response in pulmonary aspergillosis. Declining PTX3 indicates favorable treatment, while increasing levels suggest unfavorable outcomes and potential disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an innate immune biomarker crucial for host defense against Aspergillus species.
  • Elevated PTX3 levels are noted in infections, but its role in monitoring pulmonary aspergillosis treatment is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) as a biomarker for monitoring treatment response in chronic and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
  • To correlate PTX3 dynamics with treatment outcomes and immune activation patterns, including neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation.

Main Methods:

  • Serial serum PTX3 levels were measured in 216 patients with pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA/IPA) and compared to controls, COVID-19, and ABPA groups.
  • PTX3 concentrations were determined by ELISA, and changes were analyzed in relation to antifungal therapy response.
  • Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation was assessed and correlated with PTX3 levels to understand immune responses.

Main Results:

  • PTX3 levels were significantly higher in CPA and IPA patients compared to controls.
  • In patients with favorable treatment response, PTX3 levels decreased significantly.
  • Conversely, PTX3 levels increased in unfavorable responders, correlating with disease progression and NET responses.

Conclusions:

  • Serial PTX3 measurements show promise as a biomarker for monitoring treatment efficacy in pulmonary aspergillosis.
  • PTX3 dynamics reflect immune activity and can help identify disease progression or relapse, aiding clinical management.
Keywords:
AspergillosisNETPTX3

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