title: Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, lactoferrin and white blood cell count in patients with S. aureus septicemia.
abstract: In a prospective study of 65 patients with S. aureus septicemia, the clinical value of measuring serum IL-6 and lactoferrin levels was assessed and compared with CRP levels and WBC count. 20/65 (31%) patients had a CRP value < or = 100 mg/l on admission and 10 (50%) and 11 (55%) of these had serum levels of IL-6 > 100 pg/ml or lactoferrin > 2.0 mg/l, respectively. 41/64 (64%) patients had a WBC count < or = 15.0 x 10(9)/l and the corresponding figures for increased IL-6 and lactoferrin values were 29 (71%) and 21 (51%) patients, respectively. The high concentrations of IL-6 and lactoferrin on admission decreased rapidly during the hospital stay, better reflecting the clinical course than CRP and WBC count. Patients with endocarditis showed higher IL-6 levels and body temperatures both on admission and during the first days of hospitalization compared with patients without endocarditis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Orebro Medical Center Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Söderquist
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Sundqvist
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holmberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vikerfors
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D007781:Lactoferrin