Abstract
Background and aims: Upon bacterial stimulation, leukocytic cells and non-leukocytic somatic cells produce variety of cytokines which regulate immune response, inflammatory and hematopoiesis processes. One of these cytokines - interleukin-8 (IL-8) - takes part in leukocytic cells homing and chemotaxis, wound healing, angiogenesis, tumor development.
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare of values of IL-8 in oncohematologic children with febrile neutropenia (FN) and bloodstream infections.
Methods: A total of 16 febrile neutropenic episodes in 16 children were studied. Serum samples were collected on day 1 and day 2. Microbiological evaluation and IL-8 determination of the samples were performed. Comparison of IL-8 values was performed using Mann-Whitney non-parametric statistical test.
Results: Gram-negative infection was detected in 11 children, whereas Gram-positive infection - in 5 children. Patients with Gram-negative infection have IL-8 values of 3,9 - 4,3 times higher than patients with Gram-positive infection (see Table 1).
Conclusions: These data showed a distinct innate immune response to different types of bacteria in oncohematologic children with FN. IL-8 could be used as a additional diagnostic tool in children with FN and malignancies for sepsis or bacteremia determination on the first days of fever. In the meantime, validation of IL-8 in various diagnostic settings is required.
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Urbonas, V., Eidukaite, A. & Tamuliene, I. Interleukin-8 Values in Pediatric Oncology Patients with Febrile Neutropenia and Bloodstream Infections. Pediatr Res 70 (Suppl 5), 490 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.715
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.715