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Interleukin 8 in serum in granulocytopenic patients with infections
A Waage1, D Remick, S Steinshamn
1Department of Medicine, University of Trondheim, Norway.
Abstract:
Serum levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8) were examined in eight patients with acute myeloid leukaemia during 16 courses of chemotherapy. The patients experienced 14 episodes of fever which occurred in periods with granulocyte counts < 0.5 x 10(9)/l. Febrile episodes were classified as bacteriologically defined infection (n = 6), clinically defined infection (n = 2), and unexplained fever (n = 6). IL-8 was detected in 18/25 (72%), 2/3 (67%) and 3/7 (43%) of the serum samples in the respective groups. In contrast, IL-8 was detected in 22/90 (24%) of the samples taken when no fever was present (P < 0.00003 versus bacteriologically defined infection). The median concentration of IL-8 in samples taken during febrile episodes was 194 ng/ml (range 0-6358 ng/ml) and 0 (range 0-5392 ng/ml) on days without fever (not significant). In three patients with infections caused by, respectively, Streptococcus sanguis, Acinetobacter calcoanitratus and Candida albicans, IL-8 rose to a peak levels and declined during recovery. We conclude that IL-I is released systemically during infections with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and peripheral granulocytopenia due to chemotherapy. However, IL-8 can also be detected when no sign of infection is present.
Insights
Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is released during infections in acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy. Elevated IL-8 levels were observed in febrile episodes, but also sometimes without signs of infection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience febrile neutropenia.
- Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a key inflammatory cytokine involved in neutrophil recruitment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum levels of IL-8 in AML patients during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
- To correlate IL-8 levels with febrile episodes and documented infections.
Main Methods:
- Serum IL-8 levels were measured in eight AML patients over 16 chemotherapy courses.
- Febrile episodes were categorized as bacteriologically defined, clinically defined, or unexplained.
- IL-8 detection rates and concentrations were compared between febrile and non-febrile periods.
Main Results:
- IL-8 was detected more frequently during febrile episodes (72% in bacteriologically defined infections) compared to non-febrile periods (24%).
- Median IL-8 concentrations were higher during febrile episodes, though not statistically significant.
- IL-8 levels peaked and declined during recovery in three patients with specific bacterial or fungal infections.
Conclusions:
- IL-8 is systemically released during infections in AML patients with chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia.
- Elevated IL-8 can indicate infection, but its presence does not always correlate with clinical signs of infection.