Inflammatory factors predict infection risk during chemotherapy in leukemia patients

This study explores the novel role of specific inflammatory factors in predicting infection risk among leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy, providing new insights into managing leukemia-associated infections.

This prospective cohort study included 244 leukemia patients suspected of infection, divided into the infected group (n = 194) and the uninfected group (n = 50) based on etiological testing. The infected group was further categorized into bacterial (n = 123), fungal (n = 22), and viral (n = 49) infection subgroups. Inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-127P0, and IFN-α were measured using ELISA kits. Additional markers such as hs-CRP, SAA, and PCT were also assessed for the infected group.

The levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, and IFN-α significantly differed between the infected and uninfected groups (P < 0.05). IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly higher in the infected group compared to the uninfected group. Significant differences in PCT, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 levels were observed among patients with bacterial, fungal, and viral infections (P < 0.05). However, none of these inflammatory factors were predictive of infection type.

IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were identified as independent predictors of infection risk. However, no inflammatory factors could be used to distinguish between different types of infections.