Correlation of hs-CRP and T lymphocyte subsets with severity and prognosis in elderly pulmonary infection

Yi Chen; Zhicong Liu; Yinan Chen; Jianfeng Zhong; Xiaoyong Li; Pengtao Song

doi:10.3855/jidc.22001

Correlation of hs-CRP and T lymphocyte subsets with severity and prognosis in elderly pulmonary infection

Authors

Yi Chen Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Central Hospital, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital of Huzhou University, Hu Zhou City, Zhejiang province, China, 313000
Zhicong Liu Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Central Hospital, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital of Huzhou University, Hu Zhou City, Zhejiang province, China, 313000
Yinan Chen Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Hu Zhou City, Zhejiang province, China, 313000
Jianfeng Zhong Department of Infectious Diseases, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Hu Zhou City, Zhejiang province, China, 313000
Xiaoyong Li Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Central Hospital, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital of Huzhou University, Hu Zhou City, Zhejiang province, China, 313000
Pengtao Song Department of Pathology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Affiliated Central Hospital of Huzhou University, Hu Zhou City, Zhejiang province, China, 313000

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22001

Keywords:

infection, hs-CRP, microbiome, lymphocytes, prognosis

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP, T lymphocyte subset profiles, disease severity, and treatment outcomes in elderly patients with pulmonary infection.

Methodology: The study included 85 elderly patients with respiratory infections (46 non-severe, 39 severe) and 79 healthy controls. The levels of hs-CRP, T lymphocyte subsets (CD4+/CD8+, CD4+, CD8+), and clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) were measured. Correlations with disease severity and CPIS were analyzed. Additionally, pre- and post-treatment levels of hs-CRP and T lymphocyte subsets were compared in patients with different treatment responses.

Results: Patients had lower CD4+ counts and CD4+/CD8+ ratios, but higher hs-CRP, CD8+, and CPIS levels (p < 0.05) compared to controls. Severe cases had lower CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+, but higher CD8+, hs-CRP, and CPIS, than non-severe cases (p < 0.05). CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were negatively correlated with disease severity and CPIS, while hs-CRP and CD8+ were positively correlated (p < 0.05). The patients who responded to treatment (responders) had higher increases in hs-CRP, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ after 7 days of treatment, compared to non-responders; while CD8+ levels were lower (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that an hs-CRP difference cutoff of 5.31 had the highest predictive value for treatment outcomes, with 86.67% sensitivity and 68.57% specificity.

Conclusions: hs-CRP and T lymphocyte subsets are closely associated with disease severity and treatment response in elderly patients with pulmonary infection, and their dynamic monitoring may aid in clinical prognosis evaluation.

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Published

2026-05-31

How to Cite

Chen Y, Liu Z, Chen Y, Zhong J, Li X, Song P (2026) Correlation of hs-CRP and T lymphocyte subsets with severity and prognosis in elderly pulmonary infection. J Infect Dev Ctries 20:743–749. doi: 10.3855/jidc.22001

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Issue

Vol. 20 No. 05: May 2026

Section

Original Articles

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