Biomarkers of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Key to Disease Diagnosis and Management

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a dangerous disease caused by a spectrum of bacterial and viral pathogens. The choice of specific therapy and the need for hospitalization or transfer to the intensive care unit are determined by the causative agent and disease severity. The microbiological analysis of sputum largely depends on the quality of the material obtained. The prediction of severity and the duration of therapy are determined individually, and existing prognostic scales are used generally. This review examines the possibilities of using specific serological biomarkers to detect the bacterial or viral aetiology of CAP and to assess disease severity. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of biomarker signatures and the discovery of biomarker candidates for a single multiplex analysis

Allergen-specific IgE and IgG4 patterns among patients with different allergic diseases

Abstract Background In addition to allergen-specific IgE (sIgE), allergen-specific IgG4 (sIgG4) antibodies are also involved in the immune response resulting from an allergen exposure. The aim of our study was to analyze sIgE and sIgG4 patterns in the most common allergic disorders: bronchial asthma, upper airway disorders and atopic dermatitis. Methods In this study a screening analysis of blood serum samples from 673 patients aged from 6 months to 17 years with different allergic entities was performed on microarrays. sIgE and sIgG4 levels to the most common allergens were estimated. Results sIgE response to most pollen allergens is more strongly associated with respiratory diseases than with atopic dermatitis, while sIgE responses to cat and dog dander are more strongly associated with bronchial asthma than with atopic dermatitis and upper airway disorders such as rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis. A lower prevalence of sIgG4 to pollen allergens in cases of atopic dermatitis is observed compared with that in cases of asthma and upper airway disorders. Analyzing all the allergic disorders, one can see that sIgG4 response to inhalant allergens is strongly associated with sensitization to the corresponding allergen. Conclusion Allergen-specific IgE and IgG4 patterns that are relevant to concrete allergic diseases differ by sIgE and sIgG4 prevalences to defined allergens

Patterns of sensitization to inhalant and food allergens among pediatric patients from the Moscow region (Russian Federation)

<div><p>The immunological profiles of human specific IgE (sIgE) and specific IgG4 (sIgG4) vary by genetic predisposition, living conditions in different geographical locations and patient’s age. The aim of our study was to analyze sIgE and sIgG4 patterns and their age-dependent changes in patients from the Moscow region. For identifying sIgE and sIgG4 profiles the blood samples from 513 patients aged 6 months to 17 years who were showing symptoms of allergic diseases were analyzed using microarrays containing 31 allergens. The highest sIgE prevalence was observed for birch pollen (32%) among pollen allergens, cat dander (24%) among indoor allergens, and egg whites (21%) among food allergens. The most common sIgG4 response was developed toward egg whites (80% of patients). Age-related elevation was identified for patients with increased sIgE to pollen allergens and indoor allergens (cat or dog dander and house dust mites). For each allergen, the proportion of cases with significant levels of sIgG4 appeared to increase with patients’ age. The data on allergen-specific sIgE and sIgG4 prevalence show both general trends and some local special aspects that are indicative for the Moscow region. This information should be useful in terms of epidemiology of allergic diseases.</p></div

Age-dependent changes in the proportion of patients with significant concentrations of sIgG4.

<p>Age-dependent changes in the proportion of patients with significant concentrations of sIgG4.</p

Comparison of sensitization rates from different studies.

<p>The proportion of samples with sIgE-increased concentration to each of the 31 allergens for children aged 0 to 17 years according to our data in comparison with the data of other studies conducted in the Netherlands [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0194775#pone.0194775.ref019" target="_blank">19</a>] and Taiwan [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0194775#pone.0194775.ref020" target="_blank">20</a>].</p

The number and percent of samples from patients with or without increased levels of sIgE (cut-off at 0.35 IU/ml) or significant levels of sIgG4 (cut-off at 110 ng/ml) to at least one allergen depending on age and gender (total sample size N = 513).

<p>The number and percent of samples from patients with or without increased levels of sIgE (cut-off at 0.35 IU/ml) or significant levels of sIgG4 (cut-off at 110 ng/ml) to at least one allergen depending on age and gender (total sample size N = 513).</p

The proportion of pediatric patients with allergic symptoms accompanied by allergen-specific IgE or IgG4 response.

<p>Immunoglobulin response was considered to be present in cases of increased concentration of sIgE (≥0.35 IU/ml) or a significant level of sIgG4 (≥110 ng/ml) to allergens.</p