Glycoprotein A as a biomarker of pulmonary infection and inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Serum Glycoprotein A (GlycA) levels are increased in a variety of inflammatory disease states. However, GlycA has not been previously evaluated in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We assessed the relationship between GlycA and pulmonary infection, inflammation, bronchial wall thickening (BWT) and bronchiectasis in young children with CF. Methods: From 95 patients, we obtained 311 paired serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples at multiple timepoints, with concurrent chest computed tomography on 168 occasions. Quantitative GlycA was determined using high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic testing. Participants were considered to be infected if ≥1 significan..