Assessment of Plasma Hepcidin as a Biomarker for Diagnosing Pneumonia

The synthesis of hepcidin is greatly stimulated by inflammation or iron overload. Hepcidin is an antimicrobial peptide which is known to be as an inflammatory marker for many diseases. This study attempts to determine hepcidin levels in patients with pneumonia and introduce it as a perfect diagnostic marker for pneumonia.

In this study, 30 patients with pneumonia and 20 healthy controls participated. Plasma hepcidin, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and ferritin values were measured by Elisa method and plasma iron levels were also assayed by using a spectrophotometry method. Data were compared by using «t-test, ROC curve and Correlation test».

Plasma levels of hepcidin, IL-6 and ferritin in the patient group showed a significant increase compared to the control group (p<0. 0001). A significant positive correlation was detected between hepcidin by IL-6 (p< 0. 0001, r: 0. 807) and ferritin concentrations (p< 0. 0001, r: 0. 718) in patient group, but there was a significant negative correlation between plasma hepcidin concentration and iron (p< 0. 0001, r: - 0. 679). Area under ROC curve (AUC), diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of hepcidin for detection of pneumonia were 1, 90 – 96. 7 % and 100%, respectively. Hepcidin values were increased in individuals by pulmonary infiltration and fever.

According to the results, plasma hepcidin has good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of pneumonia and it can be used as a perfect diagnostic biomarker for this disease.