Urine interleukin-8 is a marker for urinary tract infection in postoperative patients

Background: Urine of patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) contains h igh levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. However, knowledge of the kineti cs of their release in urine is Limited. We therefore compared the appearan ce of IL-6 and IL-8 in urine after uncomplicated surgery and surgery compli cated by UTI. Patients and Methods: 165 patients undergoing abdominal surgery who receive d a urinary catheter were studied. Urine IL-6 and IL-8 were prospectively m easured in patients who did (n = 10) or did not (n = 20) develop UTI. Stati stical analysis was done by one-way ANOVA and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: Although urine IL-6 increased in the 2 to 4 days preceding the bac teriological documentation of UTI, a similar increase was observed in patie nts who did riot develop UTI. Urine IL-8 was elevated on the day UTI was di agnosed, while remaining Low in controls. Conclusion: In this patient group with postoperative UTI, urine IL-8 was a better marker for the early host response than urine IL-6.