Value of Blood Heparin-Binding Protein in the Diagnosis and Severity Assessment of Community-acquired Pneumonia

Background: In children, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality. It incurs significant healthcare costs. This study aimed to detect the serum levels of heparin binding protein (HBP) in healthy children and in those with severe and non-severe CAP. Methods: The study included two main groups: Patients’ group of sixty patients with pneumonia (35 males and 25 females). Their mean age was 3.3 ±1 years. Control group: Thirty healthy children, (14 males and 16 females). Their mean age was 3.3 ±1 years. All children were subjected to full history taking, complete clinical examination, investigations and assessment of Human Azurocidin/Heparin Binding Protein (AZU/HBP), using ELISA Kit. Results: The median HBP level was significantly higher in patients compared to controls, P < 0.001. At a cutoff point of >8.1 ng/mL, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 95%, 80%, 90.5%, and 88.9%, respectively. The median HBP level was significantly higher in the severe pneumonia group compared to the mild and moderate group, P < 0.001. At a cutoff point >21.1 ng/mL, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 83.3%, 63.3%, 69.4%, and 79.2%, respectively. Conclusion: HBP is a circulating marker of CAP in children. The level of HBP indicates the severity of CAP, and the constructed nomogram based on HBP can help predict the probability of severe or complicated pneumonia in children. Rapidly identifying children at high risk for severe or complicated pneumonia could signal the need for closer monitoring or prolonged hospital stay for therapy.