Plasma cytokine profiles in very preterm infants with late-onset sepsis

Efron, P.A., Hibbert, J., Strunk, T., Simmer, K., Richmond, P., Burgner, D. and Currie, A. (2020) Plasma cytokine profiles in very preterm infants with late-onset sepsis. PLoS ONE, 15 (5). e0232933.

Abstract

Introduction
Deficiencies in innate immune responses may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection in preterm infants. In vivo cytokine profiles in response to sepsis in very preterm infants are not fully understood.

Aims
To characterise plasma pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations and pre-defined ratios in very preterm infants with late-onset sepsis (LOS).

Methods
In this observational study, peripheral blood samples were collected at the time of evaluation for suspected LOS from 31 preterm infants (<30 weeks gestational age). Plasma cytokine concentrations were determined by 12-plex immunoassay.

Results
IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IP-10, IL-6 and CCL2 were elevated in the majority infants with LOS (n = 12) compared to those without LOS (n = 19). There was no difference in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17AF, IL-8 and IL-15 concentrations between groups. IL-10/TNF-α ratios were increased, while CCL2/IL-10 and IL-12p70/IL-10 ratios were decreased in infants with LOS compared to those without.

Conclusion
Very preterm infants have a marked innate inflammatory response at the time of LOS. The increase in IL-10/TNF-α ratio may indicate early immune hypo-responsiveness. Longitudinal studies with a larger number of participants are required to understand immune responses and clinical outcomes following LOS in preterm infants.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Publisher:	Public Library of Science
Copyright:	© 2020 Hibbert et al.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/56168

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