The cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and its soluble
TNF receptors 55 and 75 (sTNFR55, sTNFR75), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 b
eta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in plasma from 13 patients
with the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) on admission. No significant
changes in the plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta were detected
in the HUS patients as compared to the plasma levels of the control g
roups. Levels of IL-6 were significantly elevated in the plasma of tho
se HUS patients who had extrarenal manifestations, consisting of seizu
res, loss of consciousness, coma and pancreatic necrosis. Although the
exact function of IL-6 in the plasma of HUS patients is still unknown
and the group of HUS patients is small, plasma IL-6 is associated wit
h the severity and outcome of the disease. Plasma levels of sTNR55 and
sTNFR75 were significantly elevated in all HUS patients compared to t
he healthy controls, but they were also elevated in the children with
chronic renal failure. This indicates that elevated levels of circulat
ing sTNFR should be carefully interpreted when kidney failure exists.