Interleukin-13 is involved in the survival of children with sepsis.

UNLABELLED: Forty-eight children with sepsis were studied. Interleukin-13 (IL-13) levels were lower in patients who died at admission (p=0.014) and at 6 h (p=0.037), and in patients with refractory shock at 0 (p=0.03) and particularly at 6 h (p=0.0009). IL-13 levels did not correlate with other cytokines (IL-1b, IL-10, IL-12, TNFr), CRP or neutrophil count. Low IL-13 levels in the early hours of sepsis are associated with poor prognosis.
CONCLUSION: IL-13, a Th-2 cytokine fundamental in the pathogenesis of atopy, might also have a protective role against severe infections in children.