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Wagner KKL, Corda D, Steinmayr A, Burkert F, Fuchs D, Gostner J, Hofer S, Parrakova L, Gasslitter I, Weiss G, Irsara C, Maier S, Griesmacher A, Bellmann-Weiler R, Kurz K. CRP/Neopterin Ratio and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Different Forms of Pneumonia: Results of a Pilot Study. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1099. [PMID: 38930481 PMCID: PMC11205953 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumonia is one of the most common infectious diseases, mostly caused by viruses or bacteria. In response to bacteria or viruses which are different but which also are partly overlapping, innate and adaptive immune responses are induced, which can be quantified using the determination of specific biomarkers. Among these, C-reactive protein (CRP) has been established as a marker of innate immune function, whereas Neopterin, which is mainly produced upon stimulation with interferon-gamma, reflects cellular immune activation. AIM We investigated inflammation markers in patients with microbiologically confirmed viral or bacterial pneumonia, and studied the potential of CRP, Neopterin, and the CRP/Neopterin ratio to distinguish between viral and bacterial pathogenesis. Furthermore, we examined, how often neuropsychiatric symptoms occur in patients suffering from different kinds of pneumonia. PATIENTS AND METHOD A total of 194 patients diagnosed with either coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (n = 63), bacterial pneumonia (n = 58), Influenza infection (n = 10), Influenza and a bacterial superinfection (n = 9), and COVID-19 patients with a bacterial superinfection (n = 54) were included in our pilot study. Clinical as well as laboratory parameters were determined shortly after admission. RESULTS We found significantly higher CRP/Neopterin ratios in patients with bacterial pneumonia (median: 0.34) and lower CRP/Neopterin ratios in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection (median: 0.03; p < 0.001). Both in men and in women, the CRP/Neopterin ratio was able to distinguish between viral and bacterial pathogens, but also was able to detect bacterial super-infection (BSI) in subjects with initial viral pneumonia (p < 0.001). Patients with BSI presented with significantly lower CRP/Neopterin ratios (median 0.08) than patients with bacterial infection only (median 0.34; p < 0.001). Interestingly, COVID-19 patients had a decreased physical functioning (as reflected in the ECOG score) and a higher frequency of fatigue (84.1%) and neurological symptoms (54.8%) than patients with pneumonia, due to other underlying pathogens. Patients that reported fatigue during viral and bacterial pneumonia presented with lower CRP concentrations than patients without it. CONCLUSIONS The CRP/Neopterin ratio is useful to differentiate between viral and bacterial pathogenesis. The occurrence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in pneumonia appears to depend on the kind of pathogen causing the infection. Lower CRP concentrations at admission appear to be related to fatigue during acute viral and bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Konstanze Lilly Wagner
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.L.W.); (D.C.); (A.S.); (F.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Daniele Corda
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.L.W.); (D.C.); (A.S.); (F.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Andreas Steinmayr
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.L.W.); (D.C.); (A.S.); (F.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Francesco Burkert
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.L.W.); (D.C.); (A.S.); (F.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Dietmar Fuchs
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biocenter, CCB, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Johanna Gostner
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, CCB, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.G.); (S.H.); (L.P.)
| | - Stefanie Hofer
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, CCB, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.G.); (S.H.); (L.P.)
| | - Lucia Parrakova
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, CCB, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (J.G.); (S.H.); (L.P.)
| | - Irina Gasslitter
- Department of Dermatology, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Günter Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.L.W.); (D.C.); (A.S.); (F.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Christian Irsara
- Central Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (C.I.); (A.G.)
| | - Sarah Maier
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Andrea Griesmacher
- Central Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (C.I.); (A.G.)
| | - Rosa Bellmann-Weiler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.L.W.); (D.C.); (A.S.); (F.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Katharina Kurz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.L.W.); (D.C.); (A.S.); (F.B.); (G.W.)
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Mihaescu G, Chifiriuc MC, Filip R, Bleotu C, Ditu LM, Constantin M, Cristian RE, Grigore R, Bertesteanu SV, Bertesteanu G, Vrancianu CO. Role of interferons in the antiviral battle: from virus-host crosstalk to prophylactic and therapeutic potential in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1273604. [PMID: 38288121 PMCID: PMC10822962 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1273604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalians sense antigenic messages from infectious agents that penetrate the respiratory and digestive epithelium, as well as signals from damaged host cells through membrane and cytosolic receptors. The transduction of these signals triggers a personalized response, depending on the nature of the stimulus and the host's genetics, physiological condition, and comorbidities. Interferons (IFNs) are the primary effectors of the innate immune response, and their synthesis is activated in most cells within a few hours after pathogen invasion. IFNs are primarily synthesized in infected cells, but their anti-infective effect is extended to the neighboring cells by autocrine and paracrine action. The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in 2019 was a stark reminder of the potential threat posed by newly emerging viruses. This pandemic has also triggered an overwhelming influx of research studies aiming to unveil the mechanisms of protective versus pathogenic host immune responses induced by SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of this review is to describe the role of IFNs as vital players in the battle against SARS-CoV-2 infection. We will briefly characterize and classify IFNs, present the inductors of IFN synthesis, their sensors, and signaling pathways, and then discuss the role of IFNs in controlling the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its clinical outcome. Finally, we will present the perspectives and controversies regarding the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of IFNs in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigore Mihaescu
- Microbiology Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc
- Microbiology Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Life, Medical and Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences Section, Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Roxana Filip
- Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Microbiology Department, Suceava Emergency County Hospital, Suceava, Romania
| | - Coralia Bleotu
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Department, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lia Mara Ditu
- Microbiology Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marian Constantin
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Institute of Biology of Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Roxana-Elena Cristian
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Raluca Grigore
- ENT Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila and Coltea Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Serban Vifor Bertesteanu
- ENT Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila and Coltea Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gloria Bertesteanu
- ENT Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila and Coltea Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Corneliu Ovidiu Vrancianu
- Microbiology Immunology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- DANUBIUS Department, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Bucharest, Romania
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