Clinical characteristics and the levels of interleukin-17 in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia children with atopic sensitization

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and the levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia patients with atopic sensitization. Methods One hundred and sixty-two patients with MP pneumonia were hospitalized at the Department of Pediatrics, Tianjin Nankai Hospital from October 2015 to December 2016.All children with MP pneumonia were evaluated and divided into 2 groups: the atopic group (atopic MP pneumonia children, n=50) and the non-atopic group (non-atopic MP pneumonia children, n=112). Furthermore, 30 healthy children were also included in this study as healthy control group at the Department of Pedia-trics, Tianjin Nankai Hospital at the same time.The clinical characteristics and laboratory data of MP pneumonia patients of 2 groups were recorded and analyzed.The levels of serum IL-17 of MP pneumonia patients were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results Children with atopic MP pneumonia had more severe pneumonia.At the same time, the number of cases of oxygen therapy and glucocorticoid treatment, the duration of glucocorticoid treatment and the history of previous asthma in the atopic group were higher than those in the non-atopic group, and there was statistical difference between 2 groups(all P<0.05). The level of serum total immunoglobulin E in the atopic group [230.5(120.8, 421.5) IU/mL] was higher than that in the non-atopic group [79.9(46.1, 125.3) IU/mL], and the level of serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in the atopic group [(319.3±118.9) IU/L] was higher than that in the non-atopic group [(255.5±66.6) IU/L], and there were statistical differences between 2 groups( all P<0.01). The levels of serum IL-17 in the healthy control group, atopic group and non-atopic group were(60.2±15.7) ng/L, (382.2±181.7) ng/L and(532.3±169.1) ng/L, respectively, and there were statistical differences among the 3 groups(F=105.668, P=0.000). Whereas, the level of serum IL-17 in the atopic group was lower than that in the non-atopic group, there was statistical difference between 2 groups(t=-3.861, P<0.01). Conclusion Atopy may cause adverse effects on the childhood MP pneumonia.It was likely to be relevant to low levels of IL-17. Key words: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia; Atopy; Interleukin-17