Plasma cytokine levels in patients with severe burn injury--with reference to the relationship between infection and prognosis.

Blood levels of various cytokines were determined in patients with burn injury immediately after the accident, and the relationship between cytokines and morbid condition was investigated. There was almost no marked elevation of cytokines in the early stage of burn injury. Throughout the entire course, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and interleukin 8, as cytokines, showed high levels in patients with burn injury associated with sepsis and those who died. These levels well reflected the severity in the phase complicated with sepsis.