PTX3 as a potential novel tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of pulmonary fungal infections in immuno-compromised pediatric patients.
Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a member of the long pentraxin superfamily and has a nonredundant role in mediating resistance to fungal pathogens. Serial monitoring of PTX3 plasmatic levels was performed in 10 pediatric leukemia patients affected by pulmonary fungal infections. When compared with values of a control pediatric cohort, PTX3 showed significantly higher plasmatic values. Moreover, the response to the antifungal therapy correlated with normalization of PTX3 values. PTX3 may represent a useful tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of fungal infections in immuno-compromised children.
Biagi
Ettore
E
Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. ettore.biagi@pediatriamonza.it
Col
Marina
M
Migliavacca
Maddalena
M
Dell'Oro
Mariagrazia
M
Silvestri
Daniela
D
Montanelli
Alessandro
A
Peri
Giuseppe
G
Mantovani
Alberto
A
Biondi
Andrea
A
Rossi
Mario Renato
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000032:analysis*; D000099153:Pentraxins
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins