Serum CXCL10/IP-10 may be a potential biomarker for severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children

Abstract

Abstract Background How to early distinguish the severity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a worldwide concern in clinical practice. We therefore conducted this study to assess the relationship between levels of serum inflammatory chemokines and the severity of MPP. Methods In this prospective study, we enrolled 39 children with MPP, whose clinical information was collected, blood samples were assayed for cytokines and chemokines by ELISA. Results The levels of serum CXCL10 in children with severe MPP were significantly higher than those in children with mild MPP (2500.0 [1580.9–2500.0] vs. 675.7 [394.7–1134.9], P < 0.001). Measurement of CXCL10 levels in serum enabled the differentiation of children with severe MPP with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.885 (95 % CI 0.779–0.991, P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 81.0 % and a specificity of 83.3 %. Conclusions Serum CXCL10 level may be a potential biomarker for severe MPP in children.