MUC5AC: A potential biomarker of severity in pediatric patients infected with influenza

Abstract

Numerous factors can increase the risk of severe influenza; however, a majority ofsevere cases occur in previously healthy children. Identification of high‐risk childrenis important for targeted preventive interventions and prompt treatment. The aim ofthis study was to evaluate MUC5AC as a biomarker for influenza disease severity inchildren. For this, a prospective cohort study was conducted in 2019. Childrenhospitalized with acute respiratory infection (ARI) with confirmed positive influenzainfection were enrolled. Influenza cases were identified by reverse transcriptasepolymerasechain reaction. Life‐threatening disease (LTD) was defined by the needfor intensive care and ventilatory support. MUC5AC, epidemiologic, and clinical riskfactors were assessed. Three hundred and forty‐two patients were hospitalized withARI, of which 49 (14%) had confirmed influenza infection and 6 (12%) of themdeveloped LTD. MUC5AC levels were higher in those patients with milddisease compared to cases with poorer outcomes. Our results show that theseverity of influenza infection in children is significantly associated with low levels ofMUC5AC. These findings suggest its potential as a suitable biomarker for predictingdisease severity.