Increased Serum Endothelin (ET) -1 in Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae frequently causes lower respiratory illnesses in children, and is known to be associated with acute wheezing and the exacerbation of asthma. However, the mechanism by which this pathogen contributes to the development of wheeze- related symptoms is not fully understood. Previous studies have shown that ET-1 is a potent bronchoconstrictor and implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. The aim of our study was to examine the serum ET-1 and other cytokines in M. pneumoniae pneumonia and investigate if there is any difference in relation to the presence of wheezing. METHODS: Patients admitted with pneumonia were divided into three groups M. pneumoniae pneumonia with wheeze (group 1) and without wheeze (group 2), and patients with pneumonia due to other pathogens (group 3). The serum levels of ET-1, IL-18, IL-5 were measured by ELISA in patient groups and controls. RESULTS: Serum ET-1 increased significantly in the patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia (groups 1 and 2) compared with group 3 and controls. ET-1 in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2. IL-5 and IL-18 were higher in patient groups than in controls with no difference between groups. Serum total IgE was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. A positive correlation was observed between serum ET-1 and total IgE. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ET-1 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchoconstriction and allergic inflammation in the airways of the patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia.