Distribution characteristics of serum β2-microglobulin between viral and bacterial lower respiratory tract infections: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is one of the leading cause of death in children under 5 years old around the world between 1980 and 2016. Distinguishing between viral and bacterial infection is challenging when children suffered from LRTI in the absence of pathogen detection. The aim of our study is to analyze the difference of serum β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) between viral LRTI and bacterial LRTI in children. Methods This retrospective study included children with LRTI caused by a single pathogen from Yancheng Third People’s Hospital, Yancheng, China, between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019. Participants were divided into the younger group (1 year old ≤ age < 3 years old) and the older group (3 years old ≤ age < 5 years old) for subgroup analysis. Results A total of 475 children with LRTI caused by common respiratory pathogens were identified. In the younger group as well as the older group, the serum level of β2-MG in respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A virus and influenza B virus groups were significantly increased compared to that in the Mycoplasma pneumoniae group. Compared with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection group, the serum β2-MG level of respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A virus and influenza B virus groups were significantly higher in children between 1 and 3 years old. Conclusions The serum β2-MG may distinguish viral infection from bacterial infection in children with LRTI.

Serum β2-microglobulin may be a viral biomarker by analyzing children with upper respiratory tract infections and exanthem subitum: a retrospective study

“…ROC curve analysis showed that β 2-MG had high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing viral from bacterial infection. This study was consistent with our previous study, and elevated β 2-MG concentration might help to distinguish viral from bacterial infections in children with lower respiratory tract infection ( Cai et al, 2020 ). The change of β 2-MG level may be helpful in screening viral infection and avoiding antibiotic abuse.…”

“…Interestingly, the activation of cytotoxic T cells participate in the immune response to viral infection ( Baugh, Tzannou & Leen, 2018 ; David et al, 2019 ; Langellotti et al, 2020 ). A previous study found that β 2-MG was significantly increased in viral lower respiratory tract infection, and it may distinguish viral infection from bacterial infection ( Cai et al, 2020 ). This study analyzed the distribution characteristics of β 2-MG in children with exanthem subitum and acute URTI.…”

Serum β2‑microglobulin: An independent risk factor for mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by bacterial infection

“…These ndings suggest that elevated serum β2MG levels are associated with hypoxemia. Some studies have found that an increase in serum β2MG levels is also present during infectious diseases as well as during in ammatory responses [25,27]. In this study, 189 (73.5%) patients had a level of serum β2MG > 3.0 mg/L, and the median serum β2MG levels were found to be elevated in patients with bacterial infection-induced ARDS.…”

“…Several previous studies have shown that levels of serum β2MG are higher in patients with in ammatory bowel disease or systemic lupus erythematosus than in healthy controls, suggesting that it might also be a useful biomarker for the assessment of these autoimmune diseases [16,24]. Some research has suggested that β2MG is probably a general biomarker that re ects acute or chronic changes during in ammation and infection [25][26][27]. In addition, elevated levels of serum β2MG have been also observed in patients with haemato-oncological pathology and solid tumours despite their preserved renal function [11,28].…”