Clinical Value of Serum Interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-17A Levels in the Assessment of Severity and Prognosis of Children with Adenovirus Respiratory Tract Infection

Abstract

Background: Adenovirus (ADV) is part of the ADV family and the mammary ADV genus. It is characterized by non-encapsulated, double-stranded linear DNA viruses. Adenovirus cause various illnesses such as respiratory tract infections (RTI) and conjunctivitis. In children, respiratory infections are often closely associated with changes in cytokine levels, particularly cytokines such as IL-13 and IL-17A Objectives: This study was to investigate the abnormalities and diagnostic value of serum interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-17A in children with adenovirus respiratory tract infection. Methods: Serum levels of IL-13 and IL-17A were analyzed in 96 children with ADV RTI and 52 children with non-ADV RTI to assess their diagnostic value for ADV RTI. Results: Compared with the control group, IL-13 and IL-17A levels were significantly higher in the infected group (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROCs) curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) results indicated that IL-13 and IL-17A, as independent indicators, had diagnostic value for identifying ADV RTI and assessing disease severity. Notably, the combined use of these two indicators (IL-13 and IL-17A) further improved the specificity and sensitivity of clinical diagnosis compared with their individual use. Conclusions: The IL-13 and IL-17A are aberrantly elevated in child patients with ADV RTI, and the joint detection of serum IL-13 and IL-17A provides diagnostic value for ADV infection. Of particular importance is the fact that the utility, specificity and sensitivity of these two indicators for clinical diagnosis are significantly improved when they are used in combination. These provide new ideas and strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of ADV infections and are expected to contribute to the improvement of clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients.