ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the differences in the cytokine levels in the serum and ascites caused by Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacterial infection in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cytokines in the serum and ascites of the patients were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 27 patients with MODS due to Gram-positive (n=13) or Gram-negative (n=14) bacterial infection at day 1.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of LPS and TNF-a were higher in the patients with Gram-negative bacterial infection than in patients with Gram-positive infection (P<0.05), but the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 remained comparable between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Testing of LPS and TNF-a in the serum and ascites of patients with MODS caused by Gram-positive or -negative bacterial infection may help to identify the pathogens for peritonitis resulting in MODS.</p>