LL-37 levels in nasal secretions are associated with the severity of
acute bronchiolitis
Abstract
Objective: Τo investigate the association of serum vitamin D and nasal
secretion antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) levels with the severity of
acute bronchiolitis. Study design: We conducted a prospective single
pediatric tertiary care center cohort study of inpatients aged 0-18
months with a first episode of acute bronchiolitis from November 1st
2014 to April 30th 2017. Disease severity was determined by the length
of hospitalization and supplemental hospital data. Qualitative
measurements included serum 25(OH)D and nasal secretion LL-37 and
β-defensin-2 levels. Correlations were examined with the Mann-Whitney
and Kruskal-Wallis criteria for qualitative and the correlation
coefficient Spearman’s rho for quantitative factors. Multiple linear and
logarithmic regression were performed in order to adjust for confounding
factors. Results: The study population consisted of 153 infants and
toddlers with mean age 3.6 months (SD: +2.8). The median level of serum
25(OH)D was 51.4 nmol/L (IQR: 29.7-72.2). No association was found
between serum 25(OH)D and AMPs nasal secretions levels. Serum 25(OH)D
and nasal secretion β-defensin-2 levels were not associated with the
severity of bronchiolitis. In contrast, LL-37 levels were inversely
associated with the length of hospitalization (rho = -0.340, p = 0.001)
and the need for medication use (p = 0.001) and this association
remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders.
Conclusion: A significant association between LL-37 nasal secretions
levels with the severity of acute bronchiolitis was found in
hospitalized infants and toddlers. The role of LL-37 in the pathogenesis
of bronchiolitis merits further investigation.