Lipocalin-2 as a marker of bacterial infections in chronic liver disease: a study in Egyptian children.
Bacterial infections are common in chronic liver disease, and may precipitate other complications, such as encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome. The physiologic functions of lipocalin-2 remain poorly understood. Our aim was to elucidate lipocalin-2 as a useful marker of bacterial infections in children with CLD. A total of 79 children were enrolled in the study; 29 CLD with bacterial infection (infected group); 25 with CLD without bacterial infection (uninfected group); and 25 as controls. Serum lipocalin-2 level was measured in all children. A battery of laboratory investigations was also performed on all study children. Lipocalin-2 was higher in the infected than uninfected group (P<0.05). Lipocalin-2 level was not different between uninfected and control groups (P>0.05). Lipocalin-2 at cutoff value of 48.1 ng/ml could predict bacterial infection in the subclinical subgroup, versus uninfected groups with sensitivity 100% and NPV 100%. Lipocalin-2 is a promising marker, particularly for, early detection of bacterial infection.
Department of Pediatric Hepatology, National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University, Menoufiya, Egypt.
Behairy El-Sayed
Bel-S
Behairy
Elsayed Ibrahim
EI
Salama
Alif Abdel Hakim
AA
Allam
Mohamed Abd El Hafeez
MA
Ali
Azza Mohamed Abd
AM
Elaziz
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins