title: The relationship between serum endothelin (ET)-1 and wheezing status in the children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.
abstract: Although Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is known to be associated with acute wheezing and the exacerbation of asthma, the mechanism by which this pathogen contributes to the development of wheeze-related symptoms is not fully understood. The aim of our study was to examine serum endothelin (ET)-1 and other cytokines in acute M. pneumoniae pneumonia and investigate if there is any relation between these inflammatory mediators and the occurrence of wheezing. We studied 53 patients, aged 3-13 yr, who admitted with pneumonia. These patients were divided into three groups: M. pneumoniae pneumonia with wheeze (n=23) and without wheeze (n=19), and the patients without the evidence of M. pneumoniae infection (n=11). Age-matched controls (n=10) were also studied. The serum concentrations of ET-1, interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-18 were measured using ELISA kits in patient groups and controls. The patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia had significantly higher serum ET-1 than those without evidence of M. pneumoniae infection. In the presence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia, ET-1 concentrations were significantly higher in the patients with wheeze than those without wheeze. IL-5 and IL-18 in each patient group were higher compared to controls. However, no significant between-group difference was observed. Total serum IgE levels were significantly higher in the patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia and wheeze than in those without wheeze. A positive correlation was observed between serum ET-1 and total IgE in the patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia and wheeze. Our results may suggest a role of ET-1 in the occurrence of acute wheezing or exacerbation of asthma associated with M. pneumoniae pneumonia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Taegu, South Korea. hlchung@cu.ac.kr
authors.forename: Hai Lee
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Sang Gyung
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Im Hee
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D020382:Interleukin-18; D015848:Interleukin-5; D007073:Immunoglobulin E