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[Inflammatory response in elderly patients with bacteremia].
Luis Martí1, Carlos Cervera, Xavier Filella
1Servicio de Infecciones, Hospital Clínico-IDIBAPS, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica
|March 25, 2008
Summary
Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) upon admission, and TNF-alpha on day 4, predict bloodstream infections in elderly patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Geriatrics
Context:
- Elderly patients with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) are at high risk for bloodstream infections (BSI).
- Early prediction of BSI is crucial for timely and effective treatment in this vulnerable population.
Purpose:
- This study aimed to assess the predictive value of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), for bloodstream infections in elderly patients with SIRS.
Summary:
- Eighty-two elderly patients with SIRS were included. Inflammatory markers and blood cultures were analyzed at admission and day 4.
- Higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 at admission, and TNF-alpha on day 4, were significantly associated with positive blood cultures, indicating BSI.
- Specifically, TNF-alpha and IL-6 at admission and TNF-alpha at day 4 demonstrated a correlation with the presence of bloodstream infection.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that TNF-alpha and IL-6 are valuable early predictors of bloodstream infections in elderly patients with SIRS.
- Incorporating these inflammatory markers into clinical assessment may improve the early diagnosis and management of BSI in this demographic.
- This research contributes to understanding the inflammatory response in elderly patients and its link to infectious complications.
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