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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Characterizing Salmonella Typhimurium-induced Septic Peritonitis in Mice
Published on: July 29, 2022
Elevated serum S-100β in patients with septic shock is associated with delirium
Kristo Erikson1, Tero Ilmari Ala-Kokko1, Juha Koskenkari1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Intensive Care Medicine, Research Group of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Background:
A high prevalence of delirium is observed in sepsis, yet specific markers for this brain dysfunction in sedated patients are still lacking. Cytoplasmic low molecular weight calcium-binding protein, S-100β, is a commonly used nonspecific marker for brain injury. Here, we evaluated whether delirium is associated with increases in S-100β levels.
Methods:
This observational study included 22 patients with septic shock. Delirium was assessed by CAM-ICU and blood samples were obtained to measure inflammatory (CRP, PCT, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α) and cerebral biomarkers (S-100β, NSE, HAB42, SUBP). Patients were categorized according to the presence of delirium.
Results:
Delirium was present in 10/22 of the patients (45.5%). Serum S-100β levels were above the laboratory cutoff value of 0.15 μg/L in 13/22 (59.1%) of the patients. The odds ratio for risk of developing delirium in cases with an S-100β >0.15 μg/L was 18.0 (95%CI, 1.7-196.3, P = 0.011). Patients with delirium had higher plasma levels of IL-6 compared to those without; 138.3 pg/mL [28.0-296.7] vs 53.6 pg/mL [109.3-505, P = 0.050]. There was a positive correlation between S100 β and IL-6 levels (r = 0.489, P = 0.021). Delirium patients had higher SOFA scores; 10 [5-9] vs 7[8-10.5], P = 0.036.
Conclusions:
Delirium in septic shock was associated with an elevated protein S-100β when using a laboratory cutoff value of 0.15 μg/L and with more severe organ dysfunction during the ICU stay.
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