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Urinary immunoreactive interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6 in bacteriuric institutionalized elderly subjects
1Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
The Journal of Urology
|May 1, 1993
Summary
In elderly individuals, urinary interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6 are linked to bacteriuria. These cytokines appear to be produced in the urinary tract during infections, though further study is needed.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Immunology
- Urology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in elderly institutionalized populations.
- Cytokines, such as interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6, play a role in the inflammatory response.
- The presence and significance of these cytokines in the urine of elderly individuals with and without bacteriuria are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between urinary levels of interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6 and bacteriuria in elderly institutionalized subjects.
- To compare cytokine levels in subjects with asymptomatic bacteriuria, non-urinary fever, and symptomatic UTIs.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of urinary immunoreactive interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6 levels.
- Analysis of specimens from elderly institutionalized subjects categorized into asymptomatic (with/without bacteriuria), non-urinary fever, and symptomatic UTI groups.
- Statistical analysis to determine associations between cytokine presence and bacteriuria.
Main Results:
- Measurable levels of urinary interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6 were found in a significant proportion of bacteriuric subjects across all groups.
- Cytokine presence was significantly associated with bacteriuria in both asymptomatic and symptomatic elderly individuals.
- Quantitative cytokine levels were higher in subjects with bacteriuria compared to those without.
- Interleukin-6 levels tended to decrease in bacteriuric subjects with symptomatic infections from acute to convalescent specimens.
Conclusions:
- Interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6 are likely produced in association with bacteriuria in some elderly subjects.
- The findings suggest a role for these cytokines in the local urinary tract response to bacterial presence.
- Further research is warranted to understand the temporal variations in local cytokine production and their clinical significance.