Evaluation of interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) to an early diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis. A cohort of 117 newborn infants delivered during a 1-y period had IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures, leucocyte and platelet count collected on the initial evaluation of possible early-onset sepsis. They were divided into four groups: I, positive blood and/or CSF cultures; II, probably infected with clinical sepsis but negative cultures; III, same as group II but mother received antibiotic antepartum; and IV, newborn infants that did not receive any antibiotic therapy. There were no differences among the four groups with respect to mean gestational ages and birthweights, median Apgar scores, type of delivery, or number of newborn infants with leucocyte count <5000 mm(-3) or >25000 mm(-3), platelet count <100000 mm(-3), immature/total neutrophil ratio >0.2, absolute neutrophil count <1000mm(-3) and median IL-1beta levels. Median IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in groups with patients with a diagnosis of clinical sepsis than in controls. The optimal cut-off point was 32 pg ml(-1) for IL-6 and 12 pg ml(-1) for TNF-alpha. The combination of both provided a sensitivity of 98.5%. In conclusion, the combination of IL-6 and TNF-alpha is a highly sensitive marker of sepsis in the immediate postnatal period.     

Is urine interleukin-8 level a reliable laboratory test for diagnosing late onset sepsis in premature infants?

The present study is aimed to determine serum and urine interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in premature infants with late onset sepsis (LOS) and to evaluate if urine IL-8 is a useful test for LOS diagnosis. Fifty-six premature infants admitted to the NICU over 1 year had serum and urine IL-8 determined by ELISA. They were divided into three groups: I definite sepsis, II probable sepsis and III non-infected. Results were expressed as mean or median. Differences between groups were assessed by ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and Dunn's Method. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were calculated and a receiver operator characteristic curve was constructed to determine serum and urine IL-8 accuracy. There were no differences between groups for birth weight, and gestational and post-natal age. Median serum and urine IL-8 levels were significantly higher in GI and GII: 929 x 906 x 625 pg/ml; P = 0.024, and 249 x 189 x 42 pg/mgCr; P < 0.001. Optimal cut-off point was 625 pg/ml for serum IL-8 with 69% sensitivity and 75 pg/mgCr for urine IL-8 with 92% sensitivity. IL-8 can be determined in urine from premature infants with LOS and is an accurate and feasible diagnosis method.     

Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of term newborn infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

OBJECTIVES: To determine plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). STUDY DESIGN: A controlled, prospective study of 20 control neonates, 19 term newborn infants presenting with sepsis and no meningitis, and 19 asphyxiated term newborn infants. Blood and CSF samples were collected within 48 hours of birth for IL-6 and TNF-alpha determinations. RESULTS: Median plasma IL-6 was similar in sepsis and asphyxia but significantly higher than in control neonates. Median plasma TNF-alpha was similar in asphyxia and control neonates but significantly lower than in sepsis. In asphyxiated newborn infants, median CSF IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher than in sepsis and control neonates. Median CSF IL-6 was significantly higher in sepsis than in control neonates. Median CSF TNF-alpha was similar in newborn infants with sepsis and control neonates. IL-6 and TNF-alpha CSF/plasma ratios were similar in newborn infants with sepsis and control neonates but lower than in asphyxiated newborn infants. CONCLUSIONS: Term newborn infants with HIE have elevated CSF IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. Plasma IL-6 is increased in asphyxia and sepsis. Plasma TNF-alpha is increased only in sepsis. High IL-6 and TNF-alpha CSF/plasma ratios in asphyxia suggest that these cytokines are produced in the brain of term newborn infants with HIE.     

Cord blood levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 for the immediate diagnosis of early-onset infection in premature infants

BACKGROUND: Cytokine plasma levels are suggested to be sensitive indicators of neonatal sepsis, but conventional assays are time consuming. This study aimed at evaluating the significance of cord blood levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 determined by a fully automated random access assay within 90 min of admission to predict systemic bacterial infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cord blood levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were determined in 71 mature and 100 premature infants by a chemiluminescence assay (Immulite). Patients were divided into four groups according to a clinical and laboratory scoring system. Group A: documented early-onset infection; group B: infection possible; group C: infection unlikely, and group D: healthy newborns. RESULTS: Median IL-6 levels in the subgroup of premature newborns were as follows: group A, 1,920 pg/ml (5-95% confidence interval 308-4,660 pg/ml); group B, 50 (15-102) pg/ml; group C, 21 (12-71) pg/ml, and group D, 8 (6-11) pg/ml. For IL-8, median levels for groups A-D were 289 (226-514) pg/ml, 87 (40-107) pg/ml, 44 (33-98) pg/ml and 21 (16-25) pg/ml, respectively. The difference between group A and the other groups was highly significant (IL-6 p < 0.0001, IL-8 p < 0.001). At a cut-off of 80 pg/ml, the sensitivity of IL-6 for the diagnosis of sepsis was 96% (specificity 95%). For IL-8 (cut-off 90 pg/ml), the sensitivity was 87% (specificity 94%). CONCLUSION: In premature infants, the diagnosis of an early-onset infection can be established or ruled out with a high level of confidence by measuring IL-6 or IL-8 levels from cord blood using a random access chemiluminescence assay.     

Circulating thrombopoietin levels in neonates with infection

Thrombocytopenia is a commonly encountered hematologic complication in neonates with sepsis. Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the principal physiologic regulator of megakariocytopoiesis and platelet production. This study was carried out to determine whether variations in circulating TPO levels would occur in infected neonates and/or if they would correlate with platelet counts. In a prospective study of 36 sick neonates (gestational age 24-42 wk) admitted to a regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), blood was collected for TPO measurements and platelet counts on admission to the NICU, if infection was inferred, and at recovery before discharge. An additional group of 15 apparently healthy neonates was also studied (median postnatal age at the time of blood sampling for TPO assessment: 4 d, range 1-10) as control. TPO was measured on plasma samples using a commercially available enzyme-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). On admission, the majority (21/36) of the sick neonates had non-infectious diseases, 2 had early onset sepsis, and 13 had infection (defined as the presence of clinical signs of sepsis, abnormal leukocyte counts or C-reactive protein values, and positive results on local cultures, but negative blood culture results). During the hospital stay, 5 neonates developed sepsis (positive blood culture) and 6 had infection (as previously defined) or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The median TPO level (1704 pg/ml, range 51-3912) was higher during sepsis (either early or late) than during infection (included NEC) (198 pg/ml, range 21-2504), or non-infectious disease (659 pg/ml, range 0-2533), while platelet counts (median value 37,000 cells/microl, range 15,000-486,000) were lower than during either infection (included NEC) (median value 238,000 cells/microl, range 49,000-655,000) or non-infectious disease (median value 110,000 cells/microl, range 45,000-549,000). When infants had recovered from these illnesses, TPO concentrations markedly dropped (median value 59 pg/ml, range 0-825). These values were similar to those found in the control neonates (median TPO level 85 pg/ml, range 43-620). In infected neonates (sepsis plus infection), TPO levels inversely correlated with platelet counts (r = -0.634, p = 0.001) as did those of infants with non-infectious disease (r = -0.574, p = 0.006), while there was no significant correlation between TPO levels and platelet counts in the samples obtained after recovery or in the control infants. We conclude that infected neonates have high circulating TPO levels in the face of low platelet counts. Whether larger TPO concentrations following exogenous administration of recombinant TPO would restore the number of circulating platelets warrants further investigation.     

Plasma levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in preterm neonates evaluated for sepsis

In a prospective study, plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 45 premature neonates (25–34 weeks gestational age) with signs and symptoms of suspected sepsis at 0, 12 and 24 h; C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured at 0–24 h after enrolment. Six subjects were excluded due to insufficient blood sampling. The remaining 39 neonates were assigned to one of three groups: 25 newborns with sepsis (blood culture positive), seven with pneumonia (positive results on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid culture and characteristic chest radiography) and seven with necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) (characteristic intestinal and radiological signs according to the criteria of Bell et al.). A group of 20 healthy preterm neonates represented control subjects. On admission, higher levels of IL-6, IL-10 and CRP were observed in neonates with sepsis: IL-6 (median 1500 pg/ml, range 487–10000 pg/ml), IL-10 (median 113 pg/ml, range 70–196 pg/ml), CRP (median 22 mg/l, range 4–80 mg/l); pneumonia: IL-6 (median 1500 pg/ml, range 747–8000 pg/ml, IL-10 (median 84 pg/ml, range 76–92 pg/ml), CRP (median 10 mg/l, range 8–33 mg/l) and NEC: IL-6 (median 6650 pg/ml, range 1595–7950 pg/ml), IL-10 (median 80 pg/ml, range 61–147 pg/ml), CRP (median 3 mg/l, range 2.8–8 mg/l) as compared to controls (IL-6 median 208 pg/ml, range 198–349 pg/ml; IL-10 median 36 pg/ml, range 19–50 pg/ml; CRP median <2 mg/l) (P < 0.05). In neonates with sepsis, IL-6 levels were significantly correlated with IL-10 levels (r=0.65; P=0.04) at the time of the second sample. The highest IL-6 levels were observed at onset, while IL-10 was predominant 12 h later. On admission, IL-10 and CRP levels were significantly higher in non-survivors (IL-10 median 507 pg/ml, range 422–753 pg/ml; CRP median 123 mg/l, range 20–219 mg/l) than in survivors (IL-10 median 76 pg/ml, range 61–143 pg/ml; CRP median 8 mg/l range 3–46 mg/l), while IL-10 levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) also 12 h after admission (non-survivors: IL-10 median 600 pg/ml, range 538–800 pg/ml; survivors: IL-10 median 74 pg/ml, range 53–161 pg/ml). IL-6 and IL-10 levels were significantly correlated with CRP levels on admission (r=0.45; P=0.05). Conclusion Preterm neonates with sepsis, pneumonia or necrotising enterocolitis showed increased interleukin-6, interleukin-10 and C-reactive protein levels. High interleukin-10 concentration was associated with mortality and could be an early indicator of prognosis. Received: 21 November 2000 / Accepted: 23 January 2001     

Plasmatic levels of interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 in newborn infants with fever

OBJECTIVE: To study plasma levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 in order to distinguish the presence of bacterial infection in newborn infants with fever. METHODS: A cohort of 117 newborn infants with postnatal age equal to or less than 5 days, with no previous use of antibiotic therapy, and with clinical suspicion of bacterial infection was studied from July 1995 through August 1996. Those with definite criteria for sepsis were considered infected. Fever was defined as axillar temperature > 37.5 degrees C in three independent measurements. The patients were classified in four different groups: Group 1: infected with fever; Group 2: infected without fever; Group 3: not infected with fever; Group 4: not infected without fever. Complete blood count, platelet count, blood or other fluid cultures, and plasmatic levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 were collected before the beginning of antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Of the 117 newborn infants studied were 66 infected and 51 not infected. Fever was present in 45 (38.46%). The median values of IL-1beta and IL-6 were significantly higher in newborn infants with fever than in those with no fever. There were significant differences between groups 1 and 2, 1 and 4, and 2 and 3 for IL-1beta. There were no significant differences between groups 2 and 4, and 1 and 3 for IL-1beta. Eight (72%) newborn infants with no infection and no fever had environment heating, and 3 had dehydration. There were no differences in median IL-6 levels between groups 1 and 2, and 3 and 4. There were significant differences in the median IL-6 levels between groups 1 and 3, and 1 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: IL- 6 is a marker of early neonatal sepsis. IL-1beta is related to neonatal fever response independently of the presence of bacterial infection.     

Serum levels of CD14 in neonatal sepsis by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

The purpose of this study is to measure soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels in sera from newborn with sepsis, to compare it with other markers, and to study its evolution in Gram-negative and Gram-positive sepsis. Forty normal newborns were included (26 were full term and 14 were preterm infants), 20 babies had a positive blood culture (11 Gram-positive and 9 Gram-negative) and 16 cases were suspected of having sepsis based on clinical and laboratory findings, but a negative blood culture. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), sCD14, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) were measured by enzyme immunoassay, and fibronectin (FN) and C-reactive protein (CRP) by radial immunodiffusion. Neonates with a positive blood culture had increased levels of sCD14(3.20 ± 1.26μgml^-1, p < 0.001), CRP(69 ± 46 μgml^-1, p < 0.001)and IL-6 (134 ± 150 pg ml^-1, p < 0.001), and decreased values of FN (12.3 ± 6.6 mg ml^-1, p < 0.001). TNFα levels were also high (160 ± 37 pg ml^-1), but this increase was not statistically significant. Newborn infants suspected of having sepsis but a negative blood culture had similar but milder abnormalities. Soluble CD 14 levels correlated with CRP values; however, there was no correlation between sCD 14, TNFα and IL-6. Neonates with sepsis by Gram-positive bacteria had lower sCD14 levels than patients with Gram-negative sepsis (2.63 ± 1.2 versus 4.04 ± 1.0μgml^-1, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the sCD14 level is increased in newborn infants with sepsis, and this is higher in infections by Gram-negative bacteria, suggesting a different contribution of monocyte and macrophage cells. In contrast, IL-6, TNFα, CRP and FN values are similar in infections by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

Diagnostic value of plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in newborns with sepsis

The aim of this study was to examine if TNFα and IL-6 plasma levels could be of value in diagnosing neonatal sepsis. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma levels were determined in 15 newborn infants with confirmed sepsis (group I), 18 with suspected sepsis (group II) and 22 control infants (group III). In 33 newborns, initially suspected of having sepsis (groups I and 11), a positive test result for plasma concentration of TNFα (> 70 pg/ml) had a sensitivity of 73 % and a specificity of 94%. A positive test result for IL-6 (>500 pg/ml) had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 78%. When plasma levels of TNFα and IL-6 were combined for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, a positive test result for both tests had a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 100%. When both tests are positive the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is almost certain (likelihood ratio =α. The combination of TNFα and IL-6 determinations appears to be a good predictor of neonatal sepsis.     

新生儿败血症血清降钙素原的动态改变

目的：探讨新生儿败血症患儿血中降钙素原(procalcitonin PCT)的改变。方法：以放免方法检测24例新生儿败血症患儿血中PCT的改变,同时检测20例缺血缺氧性脑病(HIE)以及16例正常足月儿作为正常对照。结果：新生儿败血症患儿在急性期PCT较正常对照组明显升高［(112.23±10.13) μg/L vs (8.65±2.14) μg/L］, (P0.05);而HIE组患儿PCT与正常对照组比较无明显的差别。结论：新生儿败血症患儿在急性期血中PCT明显增高,对败血症的早期诊断有一定的价值。     

Decreased plasma fibronectin in neonatal sepsis

Fibronectin is a large opsonic glycoprotein which promotes reticuloendothelial system clearance of bacteria, immune complexes, collagenous debris, and damaged platelets. The concentration of plasma fibronectin is decreased in the newborn infant; however, the role of fibronectin in the onset and course of neonatal sepsis is unknown. Serial plasma fibronectin levels were determined in 19 neonates with documented bacterial sepsis. Plasma fibronectin concentrations decreased significantly (P less than .001) in all study infants concurrent with the development of septicemia. Recovery of plasma fibronectin to normal levels occurred by day 5 in premature neonates and by days 7 to 10 in term neonates. Fibronectin deficiency and resultant reticuloendothelial system impairment may decrease the ability of newborn infants to resist or clear bacterial infections. An acute reduction in the concentration of plasma fibronectin may be a valuable marker for neonatal sepsis.     

Serum concentration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor in term and preterm infants

We measured serum granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) concentration and absolute neutrophil count in four groups of infants: (1) 15 healthy term newborn infants; (2) 21 healthy preterm newborn infants, with mean (SD) birth weight 1583 (533) g, and gestational age 32.0 (3.8) weeks; (3) 5 infected newborn infants; (4) 22 6-month-old control infants. Median (range) serum GCSF concentration was 132.2 (41.5–176.0) pg/ml in term infants, 51.5 (1.8–175.7) pg/ml in preterm infants and 138.9 (54.1–449.8) pg/ml in 6-month-old control infants, with a significant reduction in preterm infants, as compared to term and control infants. GCSF levels were significantly higher in the infected infants, as compared to healthy neonates. Conclusion A significant positive relationship was found in term and preterm infants between serum GCSF concentration and gestational age or birth weight. No relationship was found between serum GCSF concen tration and neutrophil count. The low GCSF baseline levels may contribute to the increased incidence and severity of infection in preterm infants. Received: 17 May 1996 and in revised form: 20 July 1996 / Accepted: 29 July 1996     

Inflammatory mediators in perinatal asphyxia and infection

Aim : To determine serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in asphyxiated neonates and compare these inflammatory factors with those found in neonates with perinatal infection. Methods : 88 neonates were studied, of whom 36 were asphyxiated, 18 were infected and the remaining 34 were controls. Peripheral blood samples were obtained on the 1st, 3rd and 5th postnatal days. Results : Cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β as well as sICAM-1 serum levels did not differ between asphyxiated and infected neonates; however, at most time periods, their values were significantly higher than controls. TNF-α was similar in the three groups of neonates. CRP serum values were significantly higher in the infected neonates than in the asphyxiated or control subjects. Among the 54 asphyxiated and infected neonates, 15 were considered as severe cases and 39 as mild. The severe cases, at most time periods, had significantly higher IL-6, IL-1β and sICAM-1 levels compared with the mild ones. Through receiver operating characteristic curves the cut-off points, sensitivities, and specificities for distinguishing neonates at risk or at high risk for brain damage were established.
Conclusion : Similar increases in serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β and sICAM-1 were found in perinatally asphyxiated and infected neonates. As these increases correlated with the severity of the perinatal insults, neonates at high risk for brain damage might be detected.     

Pentoxifylline reduces plasma tumour necrosis factor-alpha concentration in premature infants with sepsis

Increased plasma tumour necrosis factor (TNF) concentration correlates with mortality in sepsis. We suggested that pentoxifylline (PTXF), which is known to inhibit TNF production, may improve survival and attenuate clinical symptoms of sepsis in neonates. Plasma TNF levels were evaluated in 29 newborn infants with sepsis. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups, receiving PTXF in a dose of 5 mg/kg per hour for 6 h or placebo (saline), on 3 successive days. Both groups were subjected to the same conventional therapy. TNF was evaluated before and after PTXF or placebo administration on the 1 st and 3rd days of therapy. There was a statistically significant decrease in plasma TNF level in the PTXF group when the values before the first and after the last PTXF infusion were compared [mean: 671.5 pg/ml; SD: 438; med: 729.6 vs mean: 41.0 pg/ml; SD: 64.1; med: 11.5;P<0.000004]. In the placebo group, decrease was not significant [mean: 633.0 pg/ml SD: 488.6; med: 618.9 vs 246.9 pg/ml; SD: 243.9; med: 191.0]. A significantly higher plasma TNF level, evaluated after the last PTXF infusion, was found in the placebo group [246,9 pg/ml vs 41.0 pg/ml;P<0.001]. Only one of four infants with signs of shock in the placebo group survived, whereas all of five newborns with symptoms of shock in the PTXF group survived [P<0.04]. An increased incidence of metabolic acidosis [P<0.05], necrotizing enterocolitis [P<0.04] and renal insufficiency [P<0.05] was observed in infants in the placebo group.Conclusion PTXF inhibits production of TNF and may have therapeutic value in the treatment of premature infants with sepsis complicatea by shock.     

Neonatal interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor: cord blood levels and cellular production

In a prospective study, levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6) (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured in a blind fashion in cord blood plasma from 92 neonates by specific immunoassays, and were correlated with the clinical courses of the infants, including type of delivery and perinatal complications. Plasma IL-1 beta concentration was undetectable in infants born by normal vaginal delivery or elective cesarean section but was significantly increased in infants born after induced vaginal deliveries (142 +/- 68 pg/ml) or urgent cesarean section (290 +/- 21 pg/ml; both p less than 0.05 compared with normal deliveries). The IL-1 beta levels were elevated in infants with severe perinatal complications (282 +/- 116 pg/ml; p less than 0.001), whereas TNF and IL-6 levels were not related to these complications. Infants with isolated perinatal infectious complications had elevated levels of plasma IL-6 compared with those of sick neonates without infection (p less than 0.001). In contrast, TNF plasma levels and IL-1 beta production by cord blood leukocytes were decreased in infants with infectious complications alone (both p less than 0.05). These studies suggest that the levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF in the cord plasma relate differentially to clinical complications in the perinatal period.     

Interactions of Endotoxin with Cortisol and Acute Phase Proteins in Septic Shock Neonates

ABSTRACT. CRP, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin were studied in 13 septic shock neonates. Endotoxin was recovered from eight infants. Serum Cortisol concentration from infants with en-dotoxemia (917 ± 596 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that from infants without en-dotoxemia (398 ± 239 ng/ml). Serum Cortisol correlated well with immature neutrophil counts denned as the unit "band/neutrophil". Increased Cortisol level and immature neutrophil counts preceded the elevation of CRP, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin in four extremely premature neonates. We conclude that positive interactions between endotoxin, Cortisol and acute phase protein synthesis are present in the initial period of infection, and delayed acute phase protein synthesis is suspected in extremely premature neonates.     

新生儿细菌感染时IL-8 IL-10 IL-13水平的研究及其临床意义

目的新生儿因处于暂时性的免疫功能低下的状态而容易发生感染性疾病,也是新生儿发病和死亡的重要原因.寻找指标以早期诊断新生儿感染性疾病是临床和研究的重点之一.本研究探讨血清IL-8、IL-10、IL-13水平在新生儿细菌感染的早期诊断和疗效判断中的意义.方法用ELISA测定3组血清各细胞因子的水平.感染组:21例细菌感染的足月新生儿.非感染组:20例非感染性疾病的足月新生儿.脐血组:30例正常足月新生儿.结果感染组IL-8、IL-10和IL-13水平(87.0±82.6,35.1±34.8,23.2±46.2 pg/ml)较非感染组升高(56.6±13.2,21.6±12.9,12.0±32.3 pg/ml)(P<0.05);感染组治疗后IL-8和IL-10水平(51.2±3.1,18.5±3.3 pg/ml)较治疗前下降(P<0.05);非感染组IL-13较脐血组(1.2±0.3 pg/ml)显著升高(P<0.05),IL-8、IL-10在两组间无区别.结论新生儿细菌感染时血清IL-8、IL-10和IL-13显著升高,可做为新生儿细菌感染的参考标志物,而IL-8和IL-10的变化有助于评估新生儿感染的治疗效果.     

Serum cytokine profile in reflux nephropathy

Cytokines are small regulatory peptides with diverse functions. They regulate the immune system and modulate the inflammatory response, both of which are implicated in vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) and associated reflux nephropathy (RN). The cytokine profile in VUR and RN has yet to be fully investigated. Blood was obtained from three subject groups immediately after induction of anaesthesia: group A [subjects with VUR and established RN, (N=9)]; group B [VUR alone but no associated RN, (N=6)]; and group C [age- and sex-matched controls with no history of urinary sepsis, (N=14)]. Serum cytokine levels of tumour-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble TNF receptor-1 (sTNF-R1), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured using standard ELISA technique. Serum levels of IL-6 were higher in group A subjects (1.798–4.638 pg/ml, median 3.253 pg/ml) than controls (1.531–2.078 pg/ml, median 1.798 pg/ml). There was no significant difference in levels in group B subjects (1.498–3.048 pg/ml, median 1.948 pg/ml) and controls. These same relationships were observed for levels of TNF-α (group A: 8.501–14.471 pg/ml, median 13.483 pg/ml; group B: 7.088–10.650 pg/ml, median 8.886 pg/ml; group C: 6.746–13.344 pg/ml, median 7.671 pg/ml) and sTNF-R1 (group A: 690.34–5780.74 pg/ml, median 1197.38 pg/ml; group B: 366.65–1401.62 pg/ml, median 592.82 pg/ml; C: 313.49–636.33 pg/ml, median 504.17 pg/ml). IL-8 was not significantly elevated in any of the study groups (A or B) compared with control group C (group A: 27.08–56.38 pg/ml, median 31.35 pg/ml; group B: 29.90–35.87 pg/ml, median 31.35 pg/ml; group C: 25.05–30.22 pg/ml, median 29.90 pg/ml). These results suggest there may be an immunological basis to RN. Accepted: 21 December 1998     

新生儿细菌感染时IL-8 IL-10 IL-13水平的研究及其临床意义(英文)

目的：新生儿因处于暂时性的免疫功能低下的状态而容易发生感染性疾病,也是新生儿发病和死亡的重要原因。寻找指标以早期诊断新生儿感染性疾病是临床和研究的重点之一。本研究探讨血清IL-8、IL-10、IL-13水平在新生儿细菌感染的早期诊断和疗效判断中的意义。方法：用ELISA测定3组血清各细胞因子的水平。感染组：21例细菌感染的足月新生儿。非感染组：20例非感染性疾病的足月新生儿。脐血组：30例正常足月新生儿。结果：感染组IL-8、IL-10和IL-13水平(87.0±82.6,35.1±34.8,23.2±46.2 pg/ml)较非感染组升高(56.6±13.2,21.6±12.9,12.0±32.3 pg/ml)(P<0.05);感染组治疗后IL-8和IL-10水平(51.2±3.1,18.5±3.3 pg/ml)较治疗前下降(P<0.05);非感染组IL-13较脐血组(1.2±0.3 pg/ml)显著升高(P<0.05),IL-8、IL-10在两组间无区别。结论：新生儿细菌感染时血清IL-8、IL-10和IL-13显著升高,可做为新生儿细菌感染的参考标志物,而IL-8和IL-10的变化有助于评估新生儿感染的治疗效果。［中国当代儿科杂志,2004, 6(5): 365-368］