Value of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in the sepsis secondary to pneumonia in children

Objective To determine the changes of the host's inflammatory response throughout the course of sepsis secondary to pneumonia by evaluating the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10.Methods Sixty-two patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized in PICU from Sep 2008 to Mar 2009 were enrolled in this study.They were divided into 3 groups:pneumonia group (n =31 ),sepsis group (n =20) and severe sepsis group (n =11 ).The serum levels of IL-6 and Il-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the day 1 and day 4 after admitted to PICU.Results The pediatric risk of score mortality Ⅲ scores and fatality rate were significantly higher in severe sepsis group compared to the other two groups (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of IL-6 were (55.68 ± 61.41 ) pg/ml,(57.46 ± 96.56) pg/ml,and ( 114.86 ± 206.37) pg/ml in pneumonia group,sepsis group and severe sepsis group at day 1 of PICU,with no difference among 3 groups.However,the levels of IL-10 were ( 59.50 ± 57.97 ) pg/ml,( 41.27 ±28.37) pg/ml,and(20.05 ±9.14) pg/ml at day 1 in 3 groups,which showed a significant difference(P ＜0.05).The ratio of IL-6 to IL-10 were 1.51 ±2.42,1.48 ±2.50,and 14.47 ±26.97 at day 1 in 3 groups.There was a significant differrence among 3 groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ).No difference was found among 3 groups at day 4.Conclusion IL-10 may be an determinant factor of the severity and prognosis of the sepsis,and measurement of IL-10 or the ratio of IL-6 to IL-10 can be used to evaluate the severity and prognosis of sepsis. Key words: Sepsis;  Pneumonia;  Interleukin 6;  Interleukin 10;  Children