Diagnostic potential of combining plasma biomarkers of tissue damage and inflammation in pediatric TB

• Published in: Journal of microbiology, immunology and infection immunology and infection, 2024-09
• Main Authors: López-Suárez, Andrea, Santos-Sebastián, Mar, Hernanz-Lobo, Alicia, Rincón-López, Elena, Aguilera-Alonso, David, Saavedra-Lozano, Jesús, Ruiz Serrano, María Jesús, Hernández-Bartolomé, Ángel, Medrano de Dios, Luz María, Jiménez Fuentes, José Luis, Navarro, María Luisa, Tebruegge, Marc, Santiago-García, Begoña
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Diagnosis; Pediatrics; Tuberculosis
• ISSN: 1684-1182; 1995-9133; 1995-9133
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2024.07.011

Immune-based diagnostic tests for tuberculosis (TB) have suboptimal sensitivity in children and cannot differentiate between latent infection (LTBI) and active disease. This study evaluated the diagnostic potential of a broad range of biomarkers of tissue damage and inflammation in unstimulated plasma in children. We analyzed 17 biomarkers in 15 non–M. tuberculosis (MTB)-infected controls and 33 children with TB infection (LTBI, n = 8; probable TB, n = 19; confirmed TB, n = 6). Biomarker concentrations were measured using a Luminex magnetic bead–based platform and multiplex sandwich immunoassays. Concentrations, correlations and diagnostic accuracy assessments were conducted among patient groups. Confirmed TB cases had significantly higher concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-2 and higher IFN-γ/MCP-1 and IL-2/MCP-1 ratios compared to LTBI and non–MTB-infected children. Among children with confirmed TB, there was a strong correlation between IFN-γ and IL-10 (r = 0.95; p