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Regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted and tumor necrosis factor-α in septic neonates

Journal of Perinatology volume 30, pages 192–196 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Measuring serum tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Regulated upon Activation Normal T cell Expressed and Secreated (RANTES) in neonatal sepsis and determining whether early and late onset sepsis were associated with differences in their concentrations.

Study Design:

In 15 neonates showing clinical signs of early- or late-onset infection, serum TNF-α and RANTES were determined at first suspicion of sepsis and before starting antibiotics. Fifteen healthy neonates were included as controls.

Results:

Serum TNF-α white blood cells and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher, whereas RANTES was significantly lower in the septic group compared with the non-septic group. There was no significant difference in RANTES or TNF-α levels between infants having early or late-onset sepsis. Similar to term neonates, premature neonates, responded to infection with increased TNF-α and decreased RANTES, with no statistical differences between both groups.

Conclusion:

In this study TNF-α is the best diagnostic test of neonatal sepsis, followed by CRP, when evaluated at first suspicion of sepsis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Mansoura University Children's Hospital, Mansoura, Dakahlia, Egypt

    B Shouman

  2. Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Dakahlia, Egypt

    R Badr

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  1. B Shouman
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  2. R Badr
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Correspondence to B Shouman.

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Shouman, B., Badr, R. Regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted and tumor necrosis factor-α in septic neonates. J Perinatol 30, 192–196 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2009.167

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