SERUM INTERLEUKIN-6 LEVELS IN THE STEADY-STATE OF SICKLE-CELL DISEASE

In patients with childhood sickle cell disease (SCD) serum interleukin -6 (IL-6) levels were measured during the steady (healthy) state of di sease. The corresponding measurements were made in comparable healthy normal controls. Serum IL-6 levels were assessed via ELISA in 27 SCD p atients and 19 controls, Results revealed significantly higher circula ting levels of IL-6 in the SCD patients (60 +/- 7 pg/ml) compared with the healthy controls (12 +/- 5 pg/ml), IL-6 is a multifunctional cyto kine that plays a central role in host defense mechanisms. The impact of high circulating levels of IL-6 may be deleterious to humoral and c ell-mediated immune functions in SCD, with resultant heightened risk f or morbidity.