The expression and clinical value of miR-222-3p in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a leading causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, with the incidence of severe MP pneumonia (SMPP) increasing in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the expression of miR-222-3p in pediatric MP pneumonia (MPP) and its correlation with inflammatory factors, as well as to explore its possible relationship with SMPP. Methods: A total of 87 children with MPP and 43 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. MiR-222-3p levels were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), while serum interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between miR-222-3p and inflammatory cytokines was analyzed, and the ability of miR-222-3p to distinguish SMPP was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The children with MPP exhibited significantly elevated levels of miR-222-3p, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to the healthy controls (P