Pediatr Infect Vaccine.  2019 Apr;26(1):51-59. 10.14776/piv.2019.26.e6.

Correlation between Cytokine and Chemokine levels and Clinical Severity in Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

• Choi HJ
• Kim YH

• KMID: 2443165
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/piv.2019.26.e6

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between cytokine and chemokine levels and the clinical severity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters were performed. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured. The severity of patients' clinical course and radiologic findings were also assessed.
RESULTS
Seventy-two patients (35 males and 37 females) with a median age of 3.9 years (range, 1-16 years) were enrolled. Patients with lobar pneumonia (n=29) had significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and IL-18 values than those with broncho-interstitial pneumonia (n=43). However, the cytokine and chemokine values did not differ between the group that was treated with corticosteroids (n=31) and the one that was not (n=41). The CRP, ESR, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), IL-18, and IP-10 values showed positive correlations with fever duration prior to admission. The CRP and ESR values were positively correlated with IL-18, and LDH, with IP-10 levels.
CONCLUSIONS
CRP, ESR, LDH, IL-18, and IP-10 values were associated with the severity of the disease, manifesting lobar pneumonia or prolonged fever duration prior to admission.

Keyword

Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia; Children; Cytokines; Chemokines

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Blood Sedimentation
C-Reactive Protein
Chemokines
Child*
Cytokines
Fever
Humans
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-18
Interleukin-8
Interleukins
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
Macrophages
Male
Mycoplasma pneumoniae*
Mycoplasma*
Necrosis
Pneumonia*
Pneumonia, Mycoplasma*
Retrospective Studies
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
C-Reactive Protein
Chemokines
Cytokines
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-18
Interleukin-8
Interleukins
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The neutrophil proportion (A), ESR (B), and serum CRP (C) and IL-18 (D) levels were significantly higher in patients with lobar pneumonia than in those with broncho-interstitial pneumonia. Abbreviations: ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP, C-reactive protein; IL, interleukin.

• 

  Fig. 2 Correlation between pre-admission fever duration and laboratory findings. Significant correlations were found between pre-admission fever duration and ESR (A), CRP (B), LDH (C), IL-18 (D), and IP-10 (E). Abbreviations: ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP, C-reactive protein; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; IL, interleukin; IP, interferon-γ-inducible protein.

• 

  Fig. 3 Correlation among the cytokines. Significant correlations were found between the IL-18 and ESR (A), IL-18 and CRP (B), and IP-10 and LDH serum levels (C). Abbreviations: ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP, C-reactive protein; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; IL, interleukin; IP, interferon-γ-inducible protein.

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