Correlation between concentrations of NAMPT and NMNAT1 and the risk of upper respiratory infections in the island reef

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The frequent occurrence of respiratory diseases in the island reef environment of the navy severely affects the health of personnel and the combat effectiveness of the troops. Current common screening methods can only indicate whether there is an infection with pathogenic microorganisms but not the degree of disease progression. Therefore, it is necessary to identify simple-to-operate and cost-effective methods that indicate the degree of disease progression, based on traditional screening methods.

AIM

To explores correlation between serum concentrations of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), nicotinamide nucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMNAT1), and the risk of upper respiratory infections in the island reef envirsonment.

METHODS

A total of 600 cases of upper respiratory infections among naval officers and soldiers were included. Types of infection were confirmed through sputum culture combined with multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The serum concentrations of NAMPT and NMNAT1 were measured using ELISA, and infection severity was assessed using the pneumonia severity index (PSI). Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests and Spearman correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The serum concentrations of NAMPT and NMNAT1 in high-risk group patients with PSI were significantly lower than those in the medium and low-risk groups (P < 0.05), and the concentrations increased in a stepwise manner with disease progression. However, within the same risk group, the differences in concentrations of NAMPT and NMNAT1 among patients infected with different pathogens were not significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Concentrations of NAMPT and NMNAT1 are closely related to severity of upper respiratory infections, and their common regulatory mechanisms provide new directions for development of broad-spectrum anti-infection strategies.

Keywords: Island reef environment; Respiratory pathogenic microorganisms; NAMPT; NMNAT1; Upper respiratory tract infection biomarkers

Core Tip: This study investigated the correlation between five common respiratory pathogens in the ship environment (influenza H1N1 virus, influenza B virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, adenovirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and the severity of upper respiratory tract infections in patients, as well as serum concentrations of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and nicotinamide nucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMNAT1). We analyzed the feasibility of using NAMPT and NMNAT1 concentrations as potential biomarkers for assessing the severity of upper respiratory tract infections, providing a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment of personnel stationed on ships and islands.