Evaluation of dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in adult patients with community‐acquired pneumonia

Background: Community‐acquired pneumonia is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in all age groups. Oxidant and antioxidant mechanisms play an important role in the pathogenesis and mortality of community‐acquired pneumonia. Objectives: In this study, the role of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in the diagnosis and prognosis of community‐acquired pneumonia was investigated. Methods: This was a prospective, controlled, observational study involving 73 community‐acquired pneumonia patients and 68 healthy volunteers. Results: The native thiol and total thiol, which are thiol/disulfide homeostasis components, were significantly lower in the community‐acquired pneumonia group. It was also found that the native thiol was lower in the high‐risk community‐acquired pneumonia group and that the native thiol and total thiol were associated with the Pneumonia Severity Index, CRB65 (confusion, respiratory rate, blood pressure, ⩾65 years old), and CURB65 (confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, blood pressure, ⩾65 years old) scores. The thiol compound levels were also associated with the C‐reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. However, there was no significant difference between the survivors and non‐survivors in terms of the thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the important role that oxidative stress plays in the pathogenesis of community‐acquired pneumonia. The thiol/disulfide homeostasis biomarkers especially the native thiol and index‐1 levels were significantly lower in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia. Further studies are needed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters in community‐acquired pneumonia.