Abstract
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) are a significant health concern, notably among vulnerable populations. The glycosphingolipid receptor globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) has been implicated in PA pathogenicity, however, its clinical implications remain underexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical value of Gb3 concentrations in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as a biomarker for PA-induced LRTIs. In the current prospective study, 54 PA-infected patients and 54 healthy individuals were enrolled as controls. Gb3 levels were measured using a Gb3 ELISA kit and the levels of inflammatory markers were assessed. The diagnostic accuracy of Gb3 was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The patients with PA-induced LRTIs exhibited significantly higher Gb3 concentration levels in both serum and BALF compared with those noted in healthy controls, with more pronounced elevations noted in BALF. The area under the ROC curve was 0.899 for serum Gb3 and 0.812 for BALF Gb3, indicating high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of PA infection. Gb3 levels were also found to be correlated with C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels, suggesting its potential in reflecting infection severity. Overall, the present findings revealed a significant association between Gb3 levels and PA-induced LRTIs, proposing Gb3 as a promising biomarker for early detection and diagnosis. Further research is warranted to validate the role of Gb3 in various patient populations and to explore its dynamics over the course of infection.