Trefoil factor 3 as a marker of intestinal cell damage during sepsis

Gastrointestinal dysfunction or gut failure frequently occurs in seriously ill patients and can be responsible for multi-organ failure. Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) was characterized for its role in reconstitution of an epithelial barrier after mucosal injury in the jejunum. The aims of our study was an analysis of TFF3 levels dynamics in patients with sepsis and the correlation of TFF3 with severity of sepsis and mortality.

Prospective observational study, a ten days evaluation period in children aged 0-19 years with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or septic state. Blood tests to determine levels of TFF3 were obtained as long as the patient met the criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis.

Analysis of dynamics revealed steady levels of TFF3 during the 10 day period evaluated. TFF3 levels could not differentiate between various septic conditions in patients until a marked organ dysfunction developed. Higher Area Under Curve was noticed between control group and patients with sepsis. We could not make any strong conclusions based on mortality model.

Levels of TFF3 are elevated in paediatric patients with sepsis through organ dysfunction.