SERUM MIP-1-ALPHA AND IL-8 IN SEPTIC PATIENTS

We studied blood MIP-1 alpha and IL-8 in 38 septic patients and 5 heal thy volunteers. Both chemokines were undetectable in the healthy volun teers. In sepsis, serum MIP-1 alpha was detected in 45% of the patient s and IL-8 in 84%. The levels of MIP-1 alpha, but not of IL-8, correla ted with CRP, IL-6 and TNF alpha, levels. Complications, including var ious organ failures and mortality, showed no correlation with serum MI P-1 alpha levels. In contrast, we found increased levels of serum IL-8 in septic patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation, centr al nervous system (CNS) dysfunction or renal failure, and the mortalit y rate was higher in the IL-8-detectable group than in the IL-8 undete ctable group (50% vs 0%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the production of b oth MIP-1 alpha and IL-8 was increased and initially detectable levels of circulating IL-8 predicted high mortality in sepsis.