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Histamine release in sepsis: a prospective, controlled, clinical study
E Neugebauer1, W Lorenz, D Rixen
1Biochemical and Experimental Division, II, University of Cologne, Germany.
Critical Care Medicine
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Histamine release occurs in clinical sepsis, with higher plasma histamine levels observed in sepsis patients compared to controls. Elevated histamine concentrations are linked to increased sepsis severity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Critical Care Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.
- Histamine, a key mediator in inflammatory and immune responses, has been implicated in various disease states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and significance of histamine release in patients with clinical sepsis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, controlled clinical study was conducted in an interdisciplinary intensive care unit.
- Plasma histamine concentrations were measured in 20 sepsis patients and 20 control patients over five days.
- Sepsis diagnosis was confirmed using established criteria and blood cultures; sepsis severity was assessed using the Sepsis Score.
Main Results:
- Sepsis patients exhibited significantly higher plasma histamine concentrations on days 1-4 compared to controls.
- Nine out of 20 sepsis patients had plasma histamine levels exceeding 1 ng/mL, considered a pathological cutoff.
- Higher histamine levels correlated with increased sepsis severity and were significantly associated with mortality, with all non-survivors showing elevated histamine.
Conclusions:
- Increased plasma histamine concentrations are causally associated with sepsis.
- Histamine release appears to be a contributory determinant in the pathophysiology of sepsis.
- Plasma histamine levels may serve as a prognostic marker for sepsis severity and patient outcomes.