Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
A quantitative relationships between circulating leukocytes and infection was established in patients with leukemia, in particular, the probability of being infected is proportional to the severity and duration of leukopenia (1). Infection with gram- negative as well as gram-positive microorganisms may lead to septic shock and death (2, 3) . The major functional activities of cytokines are concerned with the regulation of the development and behavior of the immune effector cells. IL-1 is one of proximal cytokines. IL-1 act to stimulate the release of distal cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-8, IL-8 is most closely related to the severity of the physiological response to infection and systemic inflammation.
OBJECTIVE:
This study was conducted to detect the levels of IL-1 and IL-8 during Gram negative and Gram positive bacteremia. That could be useful in determining an appropriate choice for antimicrobial drug depending on the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.
METHODS:
IL-1α and IL-8 was studied in (28) adult leukopenic patient with bacteremia, males and females, more than 15 years old. The study was including (20) healthy control. The bacteremic cases were obtained by culturing blood samples aerobically and anaerobically.
The isolates were identified on the basis of their morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. Interleukin-1α and interleukin-8 cocentration were measured by using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS:
Statistical analysis show no significant difference in IL-1α levels between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteremia in leukopenic leukemia patients (P=0.803). While statistical analysis show significant difference between patient with Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteremia in leukopenic leukemia patients (P=0.037).
CONCLUSION:
In leukopenic leukemia patients with bacteremia we may could determining an appropriate choice for treatment depending on IL-8 levels in the circulation of those patients and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.