Neutrophil CD11b and soluble ICAM-1 and E-selectin in community acquired pneumonia

It was hypothesized that there would be an upregulation of systemic neutrop hil CD11b expression in pneumonia, Expression of CD11b and concentrations o f soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1)-1 and E-selectin were e valuated as potential surrogate markers of the severity of pneumonia, Possi ble age-related immunosenescence in relation to neutrophil CD11b expression in elderly patients with pneumonia was examined for. In patients with community-acquired pneumonia (n=36) neutrophil CD11b expre ssion was measured by flow cytometry and soluble ICAM-1 and E-selectin conc entrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An upregulation of neutrophil CD11b expression and increased soluble adhesi on molecule concentrations on admission were confirmed, but the concentrati ons did not correlate with patient Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Eval uation II scores. Neutrophil CD11b expression was similar between elderly ( age range 70-100 yrs) and younger (age range 18-70 yrs) patients,with pneum onia. In conclusion, there is evidence of neutrophil and endothelial cell activat ion in pneumonia as indicated by upregulation of CD11b and increased solubl e intercellular adhesion molecule and E-selectin, however, they do not appe ar to be good surrogate markers of severity of infection. Advanced age does not influence adhesion molecule expression in pneumonia.