A Comparative Analysis of IL-31, IL-33, IL-35, and FGF-18 in Pulmonary Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31530/cjnst.2026.2.1.7Keywords:
Pulmonary Infection, FGF-18, IL-31, IL-33, IL-35, Bronchoalveolar Lavage FluidAbstract
Background: Biomarkers play a crucial role in diagnosing pulmonary infections and assessing disease severity. These include host-response markers such as various interleukins. Understanding the relationships between biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and serum may provide valuable insights into diagnostic approaches for managing chronic lung diseases and their associated complications.
Aim: Building on the importance of biomarkers in pulmonary infections, this study aimed to determine the role and level of certain interleukins (IL-31, IL-33, IL-35), and Fibroblast growth factor -18 (FGF-18) in patients with pulmonary infections.
Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted, including 10 healthy individuals and 90 patients with pulmonary infection. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage levels of IL-31, IL-33, IL-35, and FGF-18 were measured using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique.
Result: Serum concentrations of all four biomarkers were significantly elevated in patients compared with controls, with FGF-18 and IL-31 demonstrating the greatest increases. Within the patient group, serum levels were consistently higher than those in BAL samples. Significant positive correlations were observed among the biomarkers in both the BAL and serum compartments. However, only IL-31 demonstrated a weak but statistically significant association with positive bacterial cultures, which should be interpreted with caution.
Conclusion: IL-31, IL-33, IL-35, and FGF-18 were elevated locally and systemically in pulmonary infection. IL31 may be a potential adjunct indicator of bacterial etiology, but this requires confirmation in larger, microbiologically well-characterized cohorts.
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