Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) as promising biomarkers for distinguishing active from latent tuberculosis in children and adolescents

Tuberculosis (Edinb). 2022 May:134:102205. doi: 10.1016/j.tube.2022.102205. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Abstract

Since distinguishing pulmonary (PTB) from latent tuberculosis (LTBI) in pediatric patients remains a challenge, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of immune mediators in diagnosing PTB and LTBI in this population. In this cross-sectional study performed with children and adolescents, serum levels of 20 biomarkers were assessed and data were analyzed according to age groups. We included 65 participants (PTB, n = 28 and LTBI, n = 37). Overall, levels of TNF-α, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-17A, VEGF, MMP-1, and procalcitonin were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in adolescents and children <10 years-old with PTB. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that immune mediators were able to distinguish PTB from LTBI. VEGF and IL-1Ra presented the highest area under the curve (AUC) values, both separately (AUC 0.890 and 0.785) and combined (AUC 0.99). Taken together, we showed that VEGF and IL-1Ra are promising biomarkers to distinguish PTB from LTBI in pediatric patients, especially in children <5 years-old.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; IL-1Ra; Inflammatory mediators; Tuberculosis; VEGF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomarkers
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Latent Tuberculosis*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors