Serum cytokine analysis in cavitary and non-cavitary pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease: a cross-sectional study

In pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease, serum cytokine profiles may offer insights into the immune responses underlying cavitary lesion development. We aimed to compare serum cytokine profiles between patients with cavitary and those with non-cavitary nodular bronchiectasis (NB) and to identify cytokines potentially associated with cavitary lung lesions. This single-center, cross-sectional study included patients with pulmonary MAC disease presenting with NB, categorized into the cavitary and non-cavitary groups. The serum levels of 34 exploratory cytokines were measured using the MAGPIX system and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Intergroup comparisons were subsequently performed. Nine and 45 patients with cavitary and non-cavitary NB MAC, respectively, were included. Significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8/C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (inflammatory markers), matrix metalloproteinase-8 and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (tissue remodeling factors), and IL-17E/IL-25 and suppression of tumorigenicity 2/IL-33R (T-helper type 2-related cytokines) were observed in the cavitary group. No significant differences were identified for the remaining cytokines. Cavitary lung lesions in pulmonary MAC disease are associated with elevated levels of inflammatory markers, tissue remodeling factors, and T-helper type 2 related cytokines. Future research should investigate whether these cytokine differences contribute to cavity formation or occur as a consequence, and explore their potential as therapeutic targets.