Relationships between Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles and chest radiographic manifestations in childhood<em> Mycoplasma pneumoniae</em> pneumonia

Abstract

BackgroundMycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is one of the most common childhood community-acquired pneumonias, and the chest radiograph usually shows bronchial pneumonia, segmental/lobar pneumonia, or segmental/lobar pneumonia with pleural effusion. The imbalance of Th1/Th2 function after Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is an important immunological mechanism of MPP. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the correlations between Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles and chest radiographic manifestations in MPP children.Patients and methodsA total of 87 children with MPP were retrospectively reviewed in this study. According to the chest radiographic manifestations, they were divided into the following three groups: bronchial MPP group, segmental/lobar MPP group, and segmental/lobar MPP with pleural effusion group. Clinical features and changes in Th1/Th2 cytokines were further analyzed.ResultsThe incidence of tachypnea and cyanosis was higher in children with segmental/lobar MPP with pleural effusion than in those with segmental/lobar or bronchial MPP. The peak body temperature of segmental/lobar MPP was higher than that of bronchial MPP, and the duration of fever and hospitalization was positively correlated with the severity of MPP. MPP children’s chest radiograph showed a relationship with the changes in Th1/Th2 cytokines. Serum interleukin-4, interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) of segmental/lobar MPP were significantly higher than those of bronchial MPP, and serum IL-10 (cutoff value: 27.25 pg/mL) can be used as a diagnostic predictor for segmental/lobar MPP. Serum TNF-α and interleukin-6 of segmental/lobar MPP with pleural effusion were significantly higher than those of segmental/lobar MPP without pleural effusion. Serum TNF-α (cutoff value: 60.25 pg/mL) can be used as a diagnostic predictor for segmental/lobar MPP with pleural effusion.ConclusionThere were significant correlations between Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles and chest radiographic manifestations in MPP children. Serum IL-10 and TNF-α can be used as an optimal predictor for segmental/lobar MPP and segmental/lobar MPP with pleural effusion, respectively.

The clinical significance of IL-6s and IL-27s in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

“…Additionally, IL-6s in RMPP patients were significant higher than those in General MPP patients [19] . IL-6 was also associated with pleural effusion [20] and radiological appearance [8] in MPP patients. Guo L et al reported that IL-6s in serum of patients infected by macrolide-resistant strains were higher than those infected by non macrolideresistant strains [21] .…”

The clinical significance of IL-6s and IL-27s in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

“…Additionally, IL-6 in RMPP patients was significant higher than that in the General MPP patients [19] . IL-6 was also associated with pleural effusion [20] and radiological appearance [8] in MPP patients. Guo L et al reported that IL-6s in serum of patients infected by the macrolide-resistant strains were higher than those infected by non macrolide-resistant strains [21] .…”

Ameliorative Effects of Infantile Feire Kechuan Oral Solution on Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia in Infant Mouse and Rat Models

“…The results indicated that proinflammatory cytokines IL-2, TNF- α , and IL-6 were simultaneously involved in MP pneumonia, in the progress of which Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and TNF- α ) were upregulated and Th2 cytokine (IL-6) was downregulated, thereby changing the balance of Th1/Th2 toward Th1 cells. A Th1/Th2 balance function plays a significant role in anti-infectious immunity and the response of Th1/Th2 cytokines are useful biomarkers in diagnosis and treatment of MP infection in children with pulmonary involvement [ 47 , 48 ]. Our studies demonstrated that the imbalance of the Th1/Th2 function after Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is an important immunological mechanism of MP pneumonia.…”