Evaluation of Soluble CD25 as a Marker in Chronic Liver Diseases in Children

Background : Based on the crucial pathogenic role of inflammation for the progress of hepatic disorders, we hypothesized that the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R, also known as s CD25) would be a sign of inflammatory cell activation and disease severity in people with chronic liver diseases (CLD). Objectives : Our study aimed to evaluate soluble CD25 as a possible indicator of immune cell activation in CLD and acute liver diseases in a group of pediatric Egyptian patients. Methodology : This study was a case control study that included 120 children presented with liver disease aged 2 month-15 years and 60 unrelated healthy controls. The patients were recruited from Pediatric Hepatology Clinic, Beni- Suef University. All children were subjected to history taking, full clinical examination, laboratory tests (CBC, GGT, ALP, AST, ALT, serum albumin, PT, PC, PTT, INR and Soluble CD25 level). Results : Children with chronic liver disease with fibrosis had serum sIL-2R levels that were considerably lower (19.16±12.33 ng/ml) than children with acute liver disease (27.65±14.19 ng/ml) (p=0.036) and controls (29.23±13.20 ng/ml) (p=0.008). Children with chronic liver disease without fibrosis had a mean CD25 level of (23.33±16.31 ng/ml), which was not statistically different from other groups (p=0.655). Conclusions : further research is needed to clarify the role of sCD25 as an immunological marker to predict the occurrence of liver fibrosis in pediatric hepatic disorders and to differentiate between acute & chronic hepatic disorders.