RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hyaluronic acid levels are increased in parapneumonic pleural effusions
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p2505
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Theodora Zaga
A1 Demosthenes Makris
A1 Irene Tsilioni
A1 Smaragda Oikonomidi
A1 Theodoros Kyropoulos
A1 Anastasios Damianos
A1 Konstantinos Gourgoulianis
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2505.abstract
AB Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a component of extracellular matrix and may play a role in the pleural inflammation which is implicated in parapneumonic effusions.Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate HA levels in serum and pleura in patients with parapneumonic effusions.Methods: We prospectively studied pleural and serum levels of HA in 58 patients with pleural effusions due to infection (complicated and uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions), carcinomatous effusions and transudative effusions due to congestive heart failure. In addition to HA, TNF-a and IL-1b levels were determined in pleural fluid and serum by ELISA.Results: The median±SD HA levels (pg/ml) in pleural fluid of patients with complicated effusions (39.058±11.208) were significantly increased (p<0.005), compared to observed those with uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions(11.230±1.969), carcinomatous effusions (10.837±4.803) or congestive heart failure (5.392±3.133). There was no correlation between pleural fluid and serum HA values. Pleural fluid TNF-a levels (146±127) and IL-1b levels (133.4±156) were significantly higher in patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions compared to patients with other types of effusion (p<0.05). No significant association between HA and TNF-a or IL-1b was found.Conclusion: HA may play a significant role in the inflammatory process which characterizes exudative infectious pleuritis. Further investigation might reveal whether HA is a useful marker in the management of parapneumonic effusions.