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Interleukin-8 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with meningococcal disease
A Halstensen1, M Ceska, P Brandtzaeg
1Medical Department B, University of Bergen, Norway.
Abstract:
To evaluate the role of interleukin (IL)-8 in meningococcal disease, a solid-phase double-ligand ELISA was used to quantitate IL-8 in sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with meningococcal meningitis, bacteremia, or both with or without septic shock. IL-8 was demonstrated in sera from 28 of 62 patients; levels were significantly higher in patients with septic shock without meningitis (median, 36.1 ng/mL) than in patients with other manifestations (median, < 0.02 ng/mL), and 4 of 5 patients who died had high levels. IL-8 was detected in all 27 CSF samples. Serum IL-8 levels correlated highly significantly with those of IL-6 (r = .83) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF; r = .64), while the correlations between corresponding CSF levels were less pronounced (r = .43 and r = .38, respectively) but still significant. Serum IL-8 levels were highest in patients with a symptom history < 12 h. The elimination rate of IL-8 from serum varied and was similar to that of IL-6 and TNF. IL-8 appears to participate in the complex cytokine network during the initial phase of systemic meningococcal infections.
Insights
Interleukin-8 (IL-8) plays a role in severe meningococcal disease, especially septic shock. High IL-8 levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicate a poor prognosis in patients with this serious infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Meningococcal disease is a severe infection with high mortality.
- The role of specific cytokines, like interleukin-8 (IL-8), in disease pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of IL-8 in meningococcal disease.
- To quantitate IL-8 levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with varying disease severity.
Main Methods:
- A solid-phase double-ligand ELISA was employed to measure IL-8 concentrations.
- IL-8 levels were analyzed in serum and CSF from patients with meningitis, bacteremia, or both, with or without septic shock.
Main Results:
- IL-8 was detected in most patients' sera and all CSF samples.
- Significantly higher serum IL-8 levels were observed in patients with septic shock compared to other manifestations.
- High IL-8 levels correlated with mortality and were associated with a shorter symptom duration (<12 hours).
- Serum IL-8 levels showed strong correlations with IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels.
Conclusions:
- IL-8 is involved in the cytokine network during the early stages of systemic meningococcal infections.
- Elevated IL-8 levels, particularly in serum, are associated with severe disease manifestations like septic shock and predict a poorer outcome.
- IL-8 may serve as a potential biomarker for disease severity and prognosis in meningococcal infections.