Correlation of Procalcitonin with Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Mediators in Infected Patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae infections trigger oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Procalcitonin is a key biomarker for bacterial infections, while inflammatory mediators like leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) promote inflammation. And Glutathione S-transferase acts as an antioxidant biomarker and protects lung tissue from reactive oxygen species.

Objectives: This research highlights a potential connection between oxidative stress and bacterial infections in the context of severe conditions such as sepsis and organ failure. The study aimed to elucidate infection pathogenesis and disease progression by examining the interplay among procalcitonin, oxidative stress, and inflammatory mediators.

Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed serum levels of procalcitonin, GST, and LTA4H in patients with K. pneumoniae using sandwich ELISA. And the results, presented as means ± standard deviation, were evaluated with Pearson's correlation coefficient, with significance set at p-value < 0.05. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed using the Vitec 2 compact system.

Results: The patients' ages averaged 53.3 ± 24.4 years, with 48.6% over 60. The predominant resistance pattern was 34.5% XDR. Patients infected with K. pneumoniae exhibited measurable serum levels of procalcitonin, GST, and LTA4H. A significant positive correlation was found between procalcitonin and GST (p-value = 0.0028), but not with LTA4H (p-value = 0.981).

Conclusion: The results indicate that serum procalcitonin is significantly associated with oxidative stress but not with inflammatory mediators in patients infected with K. pneumoniae. These findings suggest an interplay between infection-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, highlighting their potential role as complementary biomarkers in assessing disease severity.

Keywords: Procalcitonin, Glutathione S-transferase, Leukotriene A4 hydrolase, Oxidative stress, Lower respiratory tract infection.