Exploring the pentraxin-3 as a prognostic biomarker in paraquat poisoning:
a systematic-narrative hybrid review
Dublin Core
Title
Exploring the pentraxin-3 as a prognostic biomarker in paraquat poisoning:
a systematic-narrative hybrid review
a systematic-narrative hybrid review
Subject
Paraquat, Poisons, Pentraxin 3, PTX3, Prognostic biomarker, Lung fibrosis
Description
Abstract
Purpose Paraquat is a commonly used pesticide that is highly toxic to humans and leads to fatal lung fibrosis upon
consumption. Due to its rapid clearance from the bloodstream, there are no reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis
and prognosis of paraquat intoxication. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an acute-phase inflammatory mediator, has emerged as a
potential biomarker, particularly in the context of lung injury and fibrosis. This review aimed to assess the prognostic
value of the level of PTX3 in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with paraquat poisoning and to evaluate the
correlation between PTX3 levels and the severity of poisoning.
Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), Web
of Science, Scopus, CROSSREF, and Google Scholar. The included studies were observational (cohort or case-control),
involving human subjects with confirmed paraquat poisoning, and reported PTX3 levels related to clinical outcomes.
Data on PTX3 expression, disease severity, and prognostic correlations were extracted.
Results Two primary studies were performed. PTX3 levels were significantly elevated in non-survivors compared to
survivors and were positively correlated with serum paraquat levels and disease severity. PTX3 levels peaked between
12 and 24 h post-ingestion and maintained a prognostic value over subsequent days. A PTX3 cut-off of 8.9 ng/mL was
associated with higher mortality, with moderate sensitivity and specificity.
Conclusion PTX3 is a promising prognostic biomarker for paraquat poisoning, particularly in cases where traditional
markers are unreliable. Due to the limited sample size, a multicenter study is recommended to validate the role of
PTX3 in clinical and forensic settings.
Keywords Paraquat, Poisons, Pentraxin 3, PTX3, Prognostic biomarker, Lung fibrosis
Purpose Paraquat is a commonly used pesticide that is highly toxic to humans and leads to fatal lung fibrosis upon
consumption. Due to its rapid clearance from the bloodstream, there are no reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis
and prognosis of paraquat intoxication. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an acute-phase inflammatory mediator, has emerged as a
potential biomarker, particularly in the context of lung injury and fibrosis. This review aimed to assess the prognostic
value of the level of PTX3 in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with paraquat poisoning and to evaluate the
correlation between PTX3 levels and the severity of poisoning.
Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), Web
of Science, Scopus, CROSSREF, and Google Scholar. The included studies were observational (cohort or case-control),
involving human subjects with confirmed paraquat poisoning, and reported PTX3 levels related to clinical outcomes.
Data on PTX3 expression, disease severity, and prognostic correlations were extracted.
Results Two primary studies were performed. PTX3 levels were significantly elevated in non-survivors compared to
survivors and were positively correlated with serum paraquat levels and disease severity. PTX3 levels peaked between
12 and 24 h post-ingestion and maintained a prognostic value over subsequent days. A PTX3 cut-off of 8.9 ng/mL was
associated with higher mortality, with moderate sensitivity and specificity.
Conclusion PTX3 is a promising prognostic biomarker for paraquat poisoning, particularly in cases where traditional
markers are unreliable. Due to the limited sample size, a multicenter study is recommended to validate the role of
PTX3 in clinical and forensic settings.
Keywords Paraquat, Poisons, Pentraxin 3, PTX3, Prognostic biomarker, Lung fibrosis
Creator
Deepu Mathew1 and Ambika Prasad Patra2*
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-01003-1
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Deepu Mathew1 and Ambika Prasad Patra2*, “Exploring the pentraxin-3 as a prognostic biomarker in paraquat poisoning:
a systematic-narrative hybrid review,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12836.
a systematic-narrative hybrid review,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12836.