Pm. Waring et al., CIRCULATING LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR LEVELS CORRELATE WITH DISEASE SEVERITY IN MENINGOCOCCEMIA, The Journal of infectious diseases, 170(5), 1994, pp. 1224-1228
Circulating concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokine leukemia in
hibitory factor (LIF) were prospectively determined by radioreceptor c
ompetition assay (sensitivity, 1 ng/mL) in 33 subjects with meningococ
cemia. LIF was detected in the plasma of 13 subjects and was associate
d with development of septic shock (P < .01), disseminated intravascul
ar coagulation (P < .05), multiorgan failure (P < .05), and death (P <
.01). Plasma LIF concentrations were highest (1-1772 ng/mL) at hospit
al admission and became undetectable within 36 h, and the peak levels
correlated inversely with systolic blood pressure (r, - .70, P < .001)
, peripheral blood leukocyte count (r, - .58, P < .01), and prodromal
interval (r, - .60, P < .001). Plasma LIF concentrations >400 ng/mL we
re present only in subjects with fatal fulminant infection. LIF concen
trations in plasma collected within 12 h of hospital admission correla
ted with disease severity in patients with meningococcemia. It is like
ly that LIF participates in the host response to infection, and it may
contribute to the pathogenesis of septic shock.