Elevated MIF-2 levels predict mortality in critically ill patients.
D-dopachrome tautomerase (MIF-2 or DDT) is a member of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) superfamily and a close structural homolog to MIF. Circulating MIF-2 has been described to be elevated in patients suffering from sepsis, severe burn injury and after surgery. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of MIF-2 in critically ill patients.



A total of 72 patients were studied upon admission to the medical intensive care unit (ICU). MIF and MIF-2 levels were assessed and compared to healthy controls. Clinical data, various laboratory parameters and mortality were assessed.



We found significantly elevated levels of MIF-2 and MIF at admission to the ICU in critically ill patients compared to healthy controls. MIF-2 levels were associated with disease severity as measured by APACHE II scores. MIF-2 levels in ICU patients correlated with biomarkers reflecting organ damage, but were not influenced by acute or chronic kidney disease. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed distinctly elevated mortality in patients with high plasma MIF-2 levels.



MIF-2 levels are elevated in critically ill patients and linked to parameters of organ damage, supporting its value as a potential tool for the assessment of prognosis in critical illness.
University Hospital Essen, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany. Electronic address: J.Pohl@uk-essen.de.
Julia
J
Pohl
University Hospital Essen, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Ulrike B
UB
Hendgen-Cotta
University Hospital Essen, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Pia
P
Stock
University Hospital Essen, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Peter
P
Luedike
University Hospital Essen, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Tienush
T
Rassaf
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002056:Burns / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000097:blood*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C515598:MIF protein, human
ICU; MIF-2; Organ failure; Prognosis; Sepsis