Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 4 plus 5 is a better biomarker than total lactate dehydrogenase for refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children

Although usually self-limiting, Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) may lead to clinical or radiological deterioration despite macrolide antibiotic therapy, resulting in the development of refractory MPP (RMPP). Corticosteroids have been used to treat RMPP with beneficial effects. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a suggested biomarker for the use of steroid therapy. Since serum LDH is a non-specific marker and elevated in many inflammatory processes, this study investigates the predicting level of LDH isoenzymes for RMPP.

Source: Pediatrics and Neonatology - January 11, 2018 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Ta-Yu Liu, Wei-Ju Lee, Chih-Min Tsai, Kuang-Che Kuo, Chen-Hsiang Lee, Kai-Sheng Hsieh, Chin-Hao Chang, Yu-Tsun Su, Chen-Kuang Niu, Hong-Ren Yu Tags: Original Article Source Type: research