Serum Cytokine Levels in Neonatal Sepsis

The Serum, cytokines level may be elevated in neonatal sepsis and the magnitude of its elevation may be related to the severity of illness and mortality. The aim of this study is to evalute tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 serum levels in the diagnosis and prognosis of neonatol sepsis Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 serum levels are determined in 24 newborn infants with positive blood culture [group I] 23 new born infants with suspected sepsis group [II] and 15 newborn as control [group III]. The serum cytokines levels are measured on admission and 48 hours after admission. The serum cytokine levels TNF alpha and IL6 are significantly elevated in neonates with sepsis their levels are significantly higher in died than survived cases and are related to the severity of illness. Their significant decreament with the proper therapy is of good prognostic value. The combination of TNF alpha and IL6 determinations appears to be alpha good predictor of neonatal sepsis

Serum levels of interleukin 2 and 4 in children with chronic liver diseases

This study was performed on 50 children, classified as follows: 15 patients with chronic viral hepatitis, 15 patients with chronic schistosomal hepatitis and 20 apparently healthy children as a control group. All cases were diagnosed by laboratory investigations which included urine and stool analysis, liver function tests and hepatitis B surface antigen, in addition to abdominal ultrasound and liver biopsy to detect the pathological diagnosis. Cases and control groups were investigated for quantitative measurement of serum interleukin 2 and 4. As regard to interleukin 2 [IL2], there was statistically significant decrease [P < 0.001] in its level in chronic viral hepatitis in relation to control group while it was statistically high [P < 0.001] in chronic schistosomal hepatitis in relation to control group. The serum level of interleukin 4 [IL4] was found to be statistically significantly more increased [P < 0.05] in chronic schistosomal hepatitis than control group. It was also high in chronic viral hepatitis, but with an insignificant difference [P > 0.05]. On studying the variation of serum IL2 and lL4 among the two patients group, it was found that there is significant increase in IL2 level in schistosomal group in relation to the viral one [P <0.001] while no significant difference could be recorded between them in IL4 level. We concluded that the changes occurring in the level of interleukins in chronic hepatitis are considered as an immunological mechanism offered by the body against invasion with antigen [whether schistosome or virus B] and these laboratory tests can be applied in the field of diagnosis of such liver diseases

Screening tests for neonatal sepsis

The early and efficient diagnosis of sepsis neonatroum in high risk newborn infants by reliable laboratory techniques is crucial in preventing neonatal mortality. For this purpose, 45 infants were examined in this study. Group I : 15 full infants< one week of age and with high risk factors for developing sepsis. Group II: 15 premature infants < one week of age with risk factors for sepsis. Group III: Control group of 15 clinically free normal healthy infants < one week of age. All infants were subjected to thorough history and clinical examination. Various laboratory techniques to screen neonatal septicaemia were done to estimate total leukocytic count [WBC], immature to total neutrophil ratio [I/T ratio], erythrocytic sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein, and plasma fibronectin. Our work showed that neonatal septicaemia significantly decreased plasma fibronectin levels in group I and II. C-reactive protein was positive in 60% of patients in group II, E.S.R was moderately significant in group I and II. There was no significant difference between group I and II in WBC level and I/T ratio. By evaluating the laboratory tests used in this study, we recommend them as a screening battery for early detection of sepsis to be routinely used for all high risk new born infants to minimize the high morality and complications of sepsis neonatorum