Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8), cytokine inhibitors (IL-6sR, sTNFRII) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-13) in the pathogenesis of sepsis in newborns and infants.

The levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8, and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-13 were studied in child patients with sepsis. The changes of the cytokine inhibitors soluble IL-6 receptor and soluble p75 TNF-alpha receptor were also investigated in the patients' sera. An increase of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels was demonstrated at the time of diagnosis. Pharmacotherapy was accompanied by a decrease of the elevated concentrations of both cytokines and their inhibitors. The time pattern of changes in cytokine and cytokine inhibitor serum concentrations along with the time course of acute phase indices, including procalcitonin and C-reactive protein, allows for an evaluation of the system inflammatory response and may support diagnostic and prognosis methods.