The role of RANTES in meningococcal disease

The chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) is a potent regulator of leukocyte trafficking. RANTES preferenti ally attracts mature CD4 cells as well as macrophages and eosinophils, but not neutrophils. In total, 128 children with meningococcal disease were pro spectively studied, and the role of RANTES in the pathophysiology of mening ococcal disease was assessed. Plasma RANTES, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-1 receptor agonist, and tumor necrosis factor-a were measured at admission. Severity of disease was stratified by the Glasgow meningococcal septicemia prognostic score (GMSPS). RANTES levels correlated significantly with IL-8 levels, admission lactate levels, platelets, prothrombin time, and activate d partial thromboplastin time. RANTES levels were lower in children with se vere disease (GMSPS greater than or equal to 8; P = .001), in those with se ptic shock (P < .0005), and in nonsurvivors (P = .048; Mann-Whitney test). RANTES is a potential mediator in the pathophysiology of meningococcal dise ase.