SERUM NEOPTERIN AND SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR FOR PREDICTION OF A SHOCK STATE IN GRAM-NEGATIVE SEPSIS

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of neopt erin and soluble interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor for shock occurrence in gram-negative sepsis. Methods: We examined 57 patients admitted to an intensive care unit with gram-negative sepsis diagnosed according to preestablished criteria. Blood samples were collected every 24 hours a nd neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptor were measured by using commerci ally available test kits. To judge the predictive significance of thes e analyses the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used. Res ults: Both neopterin (P < .05) and soluble IL-2 receptor (P < .01) wer e identified as significant predictors of a shock state, but the progn ostic strength of neopterin exceeded that of soluble IL-2 receptor. To further assess if other factors could interfere with the predictive s ignificance of both compounds, we also investigated other clinical and laboratory variables but these candidate predictors did not contribut e any additional significant predictive information. Conclusion: The m easurement of serum neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptor concentrations has predictability for identifying patients with gram-negative sepsis at risk for progression toward the syndrome of septic shock.