The diagnostic value plasma procalcitonin (PCT) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in children with mycoplasma pneumonia

• Published in: Journal of Medical Biochemistry
• Main Authors: Wang Baoyue, Zheng Yao, Jia Linnan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia, Belgrade 2025-01-01
• Subjects: procalcitonin; amyloid protein a; children; mycoplasma pneumonia
• Online Access: https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1452-8258/2025/1452-82582503534W.pdf
• ISSN: 1452-8258; 1452-8266

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic value of pulmonary ultrasound combined with plasma procalcitonin (PCT) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). Methods: Clinical data of 80 children with community-acquired pneumonia who underwent lung ultrasound examinations and were admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were collected. Children with MPP were divided into an MPP group and a non-MPP group on the grounds of whether they were MPP patients. Meanwhile, PCT and SAA levels were checked, and lung ultrasound and PCT and SAA examination results were collected and compared. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the value difference of the three alone and in combination in diagnosing mycoplasma pneumonia. Results: Compared with non-MPP children, MPP children showed significant differences in multiple aspects of lung ultrasound imaging, PCT, and SAA levels. Logistic regression analysis further indicated that individuals with increased/fused B-lines, elevated PCT, and elevated SAA had a lower risk of MPP, while a small amount of pleural effusion was a risk factor for MPP. The logistic regression model established based on the above four variables had a good predictive value for MPP. Conclusion: Abnormal imaging features of lung ultrasound, such as increased/fused B-lines, small amounts of pleural effusion, and PCT and SAA levels, are associated with MPP in children. A small amount of pleural effusion indicates a higher disease risk than MPP. Detecting PCT, SAA levels, and lung ultrasound can improve the accuracy of distinguishing early MPP from non-MPP.