Serum cytokine levels in children with community-acquired pneumonia caused by different respiratory pathogens.

Background: Our study aims to investigate the levels of serum cytokines in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by different respiratory pathogens, and evaluate the predictive value of cytokines levels for severe pneumonia.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of children hospitalized with CAP. According to the pathogens, patients were divided into the M. pneumoniae group, Adenovirus group, respiratory syncytial virus group, H.influenzae group, and S.pneumoniae group.

Results: The M. pneumoniae group was higher than RSV group in the level of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines include IL-2, IL-6, IL-17 A, and IFN-γ. But M. pneumoniae group was higher than Adenovirus group only in IL-6. M. pneumoniae group was higher than H. influenzae group and S. pneumoniae group in IL-17 A, IFN-γ. as primary anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 was lower in the M. pneumoniae group compared with Adenovirus and RSV groups. IL-6 was higher in S. pneumoniae group than RSV group. IFN-γ was lower in H. influenzae group than Adenovirus group and RSV group. IL-10 was higher in RSV group than H. influenzae group. IL-6 was higher in Adenovirus group than RSV group. In M. pneumoniae group and H. influenzae group, the levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the severe pneumonia subgroup compared with the non-severe pneumonia subgroup (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Compared with other groups, M. pneumoniae group was higher in the level of serum proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, the levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ can be used as predictors of severe pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae and H. influenzae.