Prospective cohort study on the clinical significance of interferon-γ, D-dimer, LDH, and CRP tests in children with severe mycoplasma pneumonia

Abstract

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a significant cause of respiratory infections in children, often leading to severe pneumonia. This study aimed to assess the clinical relevance of interferon-gamma (interferon-γ), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and C-reactive protein (CRP) as biomarkers in the severity of mycoplasma pneumonia in pediatric patients. Methods: In this prospective study, 203 pediatric patients with mycoplasma pneumonia were classified into mild (123 patients) and severe (80 patients) groups. Biomarkers including interferon-γ, D-dimer, LDH, and CRP were measured and analyzed. Statistical methods employed included Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: The severe group exhibited significantly higher median and interquartile ranges for interferon-γ, D-dimer, LDH, and CRP compared to the mild group. Logistic regression identified IL-10, IL-6, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, D-dimer, and LDH as independent predictors of severity, with the model achieving 92% accuracy. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed optimal diagnostic efficacy for interferon-γ, D-dimer, and LDH, with the best threshold values being 8.11, 0.64, and 379, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between IL-6 and LDH, as well as between interferon-γ and D-dimer. Conclusion: This study showed that interferon-γ >8.11, D-dimer >0.64, and LDH >379 have an important role in the assessment of severe mycoplasma pneumonia.