Biomedical subjects

R Bjerknes

Publications and source records attributed to R Bjerknes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Urinary eosinophil protein X in children with atopic dermatitis: relation to atopy and disease activity.

BACKGROUND: Parameters of eosinophil inflammation have been suggested as markers of disease activity in atopic dermatitis (AD), but the value of urinary eosinophil protein X (U-EPX) in children with AD, as well as the influence of allergic sensitization, is not known. METHODS: We measured U-EPX in 59 atopic and 29 nonatopic children with mild (n = 32), moderate (n = 34), and severe (n = 22) AD, as well as in 64 controls. RESULTS: U-EPX was increased in children with AD (110; 67-164 microg/mmol creatinine, median; quartiles) compared to controls (62; 41-95, P<0.001). Children with mild (97; 63-164, P < 0.01), moderate (108; 67-157, P < 0.01), and severe disease (152; 99-202, P < 0.001) had levels of U-EPX higher than controls. U-EPX was significantly higher in children with severe AD than in mild and moderate disease (P < 0.05 for both). Children with AD and a positive skin prick test (120; 81-176) had higher levels of U-EPX than children with a negative skin prick test (87; 56-155, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: U-EPX is significantly increased in children with AD and may reflect disease activity. U-EPX may also reflect differences in eosinophil activation between those sensitized and those not sensitized to common allergens.

Blood Proteins↗

PubMed2000

Soluble CD30 and CD23 in cord blood are not related to atopy in early childhood.

Atopic disease, including atopic dermatitis (AD), is associated with a T-helper 2 (Th2)-dependent immune response. The cytokine receptor CD30 appears to be preferentially expressed on, and its soluble form (sCD30) released by, Th2 cells. Therefore, sCD30 may be a potential marker for atopic disorders. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the sCD30 level in cord blood could be used to predict the development of atopy or AD in early childhood. In a case-control study, levels of sCD30, as well as soluble low-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor (sCD23), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IgE, were measured in cord blood in 35 children who subsequently developed allergic sensitization and AD before the age of three, and the results were compared to those of 35 matched children without a history of atopy. There was no difference in cord blood levels of sCD30 between controls (32.5 U/ml; 19.7-80.1) and children with subsequent atopy and AD (32.2 U/ml; 22-75.9) (median; quartiles). The concentration of sCD30 showed no relation to the levels of total IgE, sCD23 or IL-4. Levels of sCD23 were similar in children with subsequent atopy (60.2 U/ml; 44.5-76.8) and controls (55.2 U/ml; 38.3-72.5), whereas IL-4 was detectable in 10 of the atopic children and in only two of the controls (p <0.05). In conclusion, cord blood levels of sCD30 or sCD23 do not seem to be related to the subsequent development of atopy or AD at the age of three.

Child↗

PubMed1998

Correlates of apoptosis of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tonsillar tissue in HIV type 1 infection.

The immunopathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has been associated with increased death by apoptosis of T cell subsets. In the present study, we have examined correlates of apoptosis of CD4+, CD8S+CD28+, and CD8+CD28- T cells in tonsillar lymphoid tissue in persons with HIV-1. Single-cell suspensions of tonsillar lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry to determine the fraction of cells showing typical characteristics of apoptosis as well as the expression of activation markers within the live and the apoptotic cell populations. The proportion of cells carrying infectious provirus was quantified by limiting dilution analysis. Compared with uninfected controls, apoptosis of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was enhanced in HIV-1 infection and was higher among CD8+ than among CD4+ T cells. Apoptosis of CD28-cells was more prevalent than apoptosis of CD28+ cells for both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Occurrence of apoptosis of CD4+ T cells correlated with provirus levels and proportional expression of the activation marker HLA-DR. Apoptosis of CD8+CD28+ cells correlated with expression of the activation markers CD69 and HLA-DR while apoptosis within CD8+CD28- cells did not correlate with any of the studied parameters. Although apoptosis was much more prevalent among CD8+ than CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells still accumulated in tonsillar lymphoid tissue in persons with HIV-1. Our data may be interpreted to suggest that apoptosis of CD4+, CD8+CD28+, and CD8+CD28- cells in tonsillar tissue is regulated by different mechanisms and the results are of importance to our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) has a costimulatory effect on proliferation of committed progenitors derived from human umbilical cord CD34+ cells.

The effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on highly enriched human umbilical cord CD34+ cells were investigated in vitro. CD34+ cells were cultured in serum-free medium containing stem cell factor (SCF), GM-CSF, and interleukin-3 (IL-3). Culture of CD34+ cells for one week in the presence of these cytokines resulted in a dose-dependent increase in total cell number. Addition of G-CSF together with SCF+IL-3+GM-CSF increased the proliferation of myelopoietic cells as determined by the number of cells expressing the myelomonocytic marker CD64 and the granulocytic marker CD15 without significantly altering the number of CD34+ cells in the cultures. In the presence of G-CSF, IGF-1 induced a dose-dependent increase in the total cell number and a moderate but significant increase in the percentages of CD15+, CD64+ cells with sustained CD34+ cell proliferation. We conclude that IGF-1 can enhance the in vitro proliferation of committed progenitor cells derived from umbilical cord CD34+ cells.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1998

Toxicity of vancomycin on corneal endothelium in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxic effect of vancomycin on the corneal endothelium related to concentrations of vancomycin. METHODS: The toxic effect is assessed with a weighing method that gives a measure of endothelial function. Thirty-three rabbit corneas were divided into four groups. Three groups of seven corneas each were exposed to concentrations of 1.0 mg/ml, 3.0 mg/ml and 5.0 mg/ml vancomycin, respectively. The fourth group of twelve corneas served as a control group. RESULTS: The corneas exposed to 1.0 mg/ml vancomycin showed no significant weight increase, while the corneas exposed to 3.0 mg/ml and 5.0 mg/ml showed a significant weight increase as compared to the control corneas. The weight increase was significantly larger in the group of corneas exposed to 5.0 mg/ml as compared to 3.0 mg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: In the interval of tested concentrations there is a dose response relationship between vancomycin concentrations and endothelial toxicity. This experiment shows that vancomycin in the concentration of 1.0 mg/ml is non-toxic to the endothelium, while 3.0 mg/ml and 5.0 mg/ml increasingly impair endothelial function.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Concentrations of cytokines in plasma of patients with large burns: their relation to time after injury, burn size, inflammatory variables, infection, and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To monitor longitudinally the concentrations of cytokines in the plasma of patients with severe burns. DESIGN: Prospective open study. SETTING: Burns unit, university hospital, Norway. SUBJECTS: 27 patients (5 women and 22 men, mean age 37 (range 13-82) years). INTERVENTIONS: Measurement of plasma concentrations of interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), interferon-7(IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in concentrations, and correlation with morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The concentration of IL-1beta and IL-1ra were increased in all patients and highest at the time of admission. Initially there was little or no circulating IFN-gamma, but this increased from day 5-10 in all patients. Only 8/15 patients had transient increases in circulating TNF-alpha. Concentrations of IL-1ra correlated with total burn surface area (TBSA) and area of third degree burn, as well as with plasma concentrations of C - reactive protein (CRP). Concentrations of IL-1beta and IL-1ra were higher in patients who developed infective complications than in those who did not (interleukin-8 (IL-8) has previously been shown to follow this pattern as well). Patients who survived had significantly higher IL-1beta concentrations than those who died (13(1) compared with 3 (1) pg/ml, p = 0.005) CONCLUSION: There are significant time-dependent changes in plasma concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-1ra, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha after serious burns. IL-1ra concentrations may be influenced by size of the burn and the acute phase response; IL-1beta, IL-1ra and IL-8 may have a role in the host's response to infection; and IL-1beta may influence outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Familial disseminated infection due to atypical mycobacteria with childhood onset.

We describe two brothers of consanguineous Pakistani parents who lived in Norway and had disseminated infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria. The first boy developed clinical signs of disseminated BCG infection after vaccination. He was successfully treated with antimycobacterial agents. Two and one-half years later, he developed disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection and died at 6 years of age. The second boy, born 5 years after the death of his brother, did not receive BCG vaccine. At 2 years of age, he developed disseminated M. avium complex infection. Because he responded only partly to specific chemotherapy, empirical interferon gamma treatment was added to the antimycobacterial regimen. After 2 years of combined therapy, his condition is stable. Studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the second boy demonstrated reduced surface expression of the ligand binding chain of interferon gamma receptor 1. This defect explains the increased susceptibility to mycobacterial disease in the two brothers.

Age of Onset↗

PubMed1998

Differential patterns of circulating adhesion molecules in children with bronchial asthma and acute bronchiolitis.

The object of the study was to assess the levels of circulating forms of the cellular adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, L-selectin and P-selectin in young children with asthma and acute bronchiolitis. Thirty-nine children aged 12 to 84 months with mild or moderate asthma were studied at admission for acute asthma (n = 15) or in a stable phase (n = 24). Ten of the children with acute asthma were seen again after one month. Twenty-two children aged 1 to 17 months with acute bronchiolitis and nine non-atopic controls were also included in the study. In children with acute asthma, the mean concentration of circulating soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) was increased compared to children with stable asthma (mean 442 micrograms/l versus 363 micrograms/l; p < 0.001) and to controls (363 micrograms/l; p < 0.05). The levels of sICAM-1 remained high at follow up. In children with stable asthma, the mean serum concentration of soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin) (2080 micrograms) was significantly higher than in the controls (1664 micrograms/l; p < 0.05). The levels of circulating cellular adhesion molecules were similar in atopic and non-atopic asthmatics. Children with acute bronchiolitis had increased serum levels of soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) (1637 micrograms/l versus 1019 micrograms/l in the controls; p < 0.01) and sL-selectin (2041 micrograms/l versus 1664 micrograms/l in the controls; p < 0.05). There was no difference between the levels of circulating cellular adhesion molecules in children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) positive and RSV negative bronchiolitis. Soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) in serum were not significantly increased in any of the groups studied. In conclusion, our data suggest differential patterns of circulating cellular adhesion molecules in young children with acute asthma, stable asthma, and acute bronchiolitis, which may reflect differences in the underlying inflammatory processes in these obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

Is serum eosinophil cationic protein in bronchiolitis a predictor of asthma?

To examine their possible predictive value for the development of asthma, the serum concentration of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and the total eosinophil count were measured at admission in 25 children aged 1-17 months hospitalized for their first episode of bronchiolitis. After an average of three years the parents of 23 index patients answered a questionnaire to determine development of asthma. Eight children were defined as having asthma at follow-up based on at least three episodes of wheezing. The remaining 15 children had experienced only one or two episodes of wheezing, and all of these children had been wheeze free for the last year. The serum concentrations of ECP were similar in children who subsequently developed asthma (8.0 microg/l; 3.6 to 14.2 (median; quartiles)) and in those who did not (12 microg/l; 4.5 to 16.8). Moreover, the total eosinophil counts were similar in asthmatic (0.10 x 10(9)/l; 0.04 to 0.20) and non-asthmatic patients (0.09 x 10(9)/l; 0.02 to 0.13). In conclusion, our study suggest that neither the serum concentration of ECP nor the total eosinophil count can predict the development of asthma when measured in children admitted for their first episode of bronchiolitis, but larger studies need to be carried out to confirm these results.

Asthma↗

PubMed1997

Pituitary dwarfism in the R271W Pit-1 gene mutation.

UNLABELLED: The Pit-1 gene encodes the POU-domain transcription factor Pit-1 which is important for the differentiation of the anterior pituitary and regulation of the PRL, GH and TSH genes. As a member of the POU domain transcription factors, Pit-1 contains a DNA-binding region, consisting of a POU-specific domain and a POU homeodomain. Mutation of the Pit-1 gene causes hypoplasia of the pituitary gland and deficiencies of GH, PRL and TSH. In a DNA sample from a 3-month-old girl with severe growth deficiency from birth, single stranded conformational polymorphism analysis of the Pit-1 gene identified a gel shift in exon 6. DNA-sequencing disclosed a single base mutation in codon 271 (CGG to TGG) that changes arginine to tryptophan (R271W) in the POU homeodomain. The patient presented distinct facial features with prominent forehead, marked mid-facial hypoplasia with depressed nasal bridge, deep-set eyes and a short nose with anteverted nostrils. MRI examination showed a hypoplastic pituitary gland. Low serum GH did not respond to insulin-arginine provocation or GHRH tests. PRL levels below the detection limit did not increase in response to a TRH test. T4 and free T4 was below detection limit (< 20 nmol/l and < 4 pmol/l). TSH was 2.0 mU/l and showed a blunt response to 6.0 mU/l following TRH test. TBG was normal. In spite of inappropriately low TSH and very low T4, T3 was in the low normal range (1.4-1.6 nmol/l) and she was clinically euthyroid. The thyroid function tests are consistent with increased monodeiodination activity and increased conversion of T4 to T3, possibly related to the Pit-1 gene mutation. GH and T4 treatment resulted in catch-up growth continued during 5 years of therapy. CONCLUSION: Reports of nine other cases of R271W mutations of different populations as well as the present Norwegian patient suggest codon 271 of exon 6 to be a "hot spot" for Pit-1 mutations. To enable rapid and simple detection of this type of de novo mutation we have designed a specific amplification-created-restriction-site assay to check for the R271W mutation in patients suspected to have this rare form of genetic defect in growth hormone production.

Arginine↗

PubMed1997

Impaired actin polymerization and depolymerization in neutrophils from patients with thermal injury.

Acquired neutrophil dysfunction is considered an important cause of increased susceptibility to infection in patients with burns. In the early postinjury phase, large amounts of circulating chemo-attractants, cytokines and endotoxins induce strong systemic activation of neutrophils which may impair their motile functions. Actin is the most prevalent component of the microfilament lattice that generates force for the neutrophil motile responses, and in the present study we examined the dynamics of actin polymerization and depolymerization in neutrophils from 11 patients with large burns. At admission, the amount of polymerized actin in unstimulated neutrophils was 39.9 per cent higher than that of parallel controls. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the amount of polymerized actin and the total body surface area (TBSA) burn. The time course of patient neutrophil actin polymerization in response to FMLP, C5a, (Ser-IL-8)72, (Ala-IL-8)77 and crosslinking of surface Fc gamma RII was similar to that of controls, and the maximal amount of neutrophil F-actin was demonstrated after 30 s stimulation. At the peak of actin polymerization, however, patient neutrophils contained 27.3, 24.0, 24.7 and 25.6 per cent more polymerized actin than control cells stimulated with FMLP, (Ser-IL,-8)77, (Ala-8)77 and Fc gamma RII crosslinking, respectively. However, the relative increase of neutrophil F-actin following stimulation was significantly lower in patients than in controls. Moreover, the rate of patient neutrophil actin depolymerization was 39.0, 23.5, 63.3 and 51.7 per cent lower than that of controls after stimulation with FMLP, C5a (Ser-IL-8)72 and Fc gamma RII crosslinking, respectively. At discharge, the dynamics of neutrophil actin polymerization and depolymerization were similar to that of controls. The results demonstrate that in neutrophils during the early postburn phase, there are increased basal levels of polymerized actin, a lower responsiveness to stimulation and a reduced rate of actin depolymerization. As periodic polymerization and depolymerization of actin is essential for all neutrophil motile responses, it is probable that the alterations observed may contribute significantly to the overall neutrophil dysfunction following thermal injury.

Actins↗

PubMed1997

Increased neutrophil insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor expression and IGF-I-induced functional capacity in patients with untreated Laron syndrome.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a growth hormone-dependent peptide with growth and immunoregulatory properties, and in Laron syndrome growth hormone insensitivity induces impaired production of IGF-I. In the present study we have determined the neutrophil expression of IGF-I receptors (IGF-I-Rs), as well as the IGF-I-induced priming of neutrophil functional capacity, in two children with Laron syndrome treated with recombinant human IGF-I, and in age-matched controls. Before treatment, the patient neutrophil expression of IGF-I-Rs was significantly increased. However, with replacement therapy the neutrophil IGF-I-R expression was downregulated to levels similar to those of the controls within one month. In the patients, the phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst of unprimed neutrophils were normal and similar to controls before the start of treatment. Moreover, IGF-I efficiently primed both patient and control neutrophils to increase their phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst in vitro. However, before therapy, the priming response to IGF-I was significantly stronger in the neutrophils in the patients than in the controls. The present data support earlier studies by us and others demonstrating that IGF-I is a potent regulator of mature neutrophil function, but also suggest that these leukocytes may function normally in the presence of very low levels of IGF-I in vivo.

Child↗

PubMed1996

Dynamics of HIV-1 replication following influenza vaccination of HIV+ individuals.

Levels of HIV-1 have been reported to increase in peripheral blood after influenza vaccination of HIV+ individuals. In this study we have evaluated the dynamics of these changes. Ten HIV-1+ individuals classified in revised CDC clinical categories B and C as well as five seronegative healthy controls were vaccinated with the recommended influenza strains. HIV viral RNA and proviral DNA were sequentially quantified in serum and blood lymphocytes, respectively. Nine of the 10 HIV+ individuals had an increase in the frequency of infected CD4 cells 2 weeks after influenza vaccination. Individuals with low viral load had a rapid increase in viraemia and a small increase in frequency of infected cells in peripheral blood. In contrast, individuals with high viral load had a small drop in viraemia followed by a significant rise in the rate of infected cells. The observed change may resemble those taking place during intercurrent infections in HIV+ individuals. The effects of the relative increases in infectious virus after the transient viraemic phase should be further investigated to evaluate potential risks of vaccination.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed1996

Serum eosinophil cationic protein and interleukin-5 in children with bronchial asthma and acute bronchiolitis.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical applicability of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), interleukin-5 (IL-5) and total eosinophil counts in childhood asthma and bronchiolitis. These parameters were measured in 44 children aged 12-84 months with moderate and mild asthma during symptomatic and asymptomatic phases of disease. Fifteen of the patients were included at the time of admission to hospital due to an acute asthmatic attack, and ten of these were also examined one month after discharge. None of the patients were treated with glucocorticoids or cromoglycate at any time during the study. Serum ECP was significantly increased in the children with acute asthma compared to children with stable moderate asthma, stable mild asthma, as well as to controls. There was no difference between the groups with stable asthma or between stable asthma and controls, and there was large overlap between all groups of asthmatics and controls. Detectable levels of circulating IL-5 were demonstrated in eight of 15 children with acute asthma, with significantly higher levels in atopic children, whereas all samples from children with stable asthma and controls were negative. The results suggest that even though serum ECP and IL-5 increases during acute asthmatic attacks, these parameters cannot alone be used to discriminate between different groups of young children with stable asthma, nor between asthmatics and healthy controls. In addition, the same parameters of eosinophil inflammation were examined in serum samples from 25 children aged 1-17 months undergoing their first episode of acute bronchiolitis. Children with acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis had significantly higher levels of serum ECP than those with RSV negative disease, whereas the total eosinophil counts were significantly decreased in all patients with acute bronchiolitis. Serum IL-5 was only detected in two children with acute bronchiolitis. The results suggest that the inflammation in RSV bronchiolitis differs from that induced by other viruses.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Effects of topical nasal steroids on human respiratory mucosa and human granulocytes in vitro.

Human respiratory mucosa and human granulocytes were exposed to topical nasal steroids in vitro. The preparations containing benzalkonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride alone destroyed the mucosa within 10 days. The same preparations also inhibited human neutrophil actin polymerization, degranulation and oxidative burst in vitro in a time and concentration dependent manner. Preparations without benzalkonium chloride, as well as the steroid compounds themselves, did not have these effects. It is concluded that benzalkonium chloride has toxic effects on human respiratory mucosa and human neutrophils in vitro.

Adenoids↗

PubMed1996

Reduced CD4 cell counts in blood do not reflect CD4 cell depletion in tonsillar tissue in asymptomatic HIV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the loss of CD4 cells seen in peripheral circulation of HIV-1-positive individuals reflects a similar depletion of CD4 cells from lymphoid tissue. DESIGN: CD4 and CD8 cells in tonsillar mononuclear cell suspensions were quantified relative to tonsillar B cells, as these were thought to remain numerically unchanged in the course of HIV infection. Results were related to the CD4 cell counts in blood and to the clinical status of the patients. METHODS: Blood samples and tonsillar tissue were obtained from 13 HIV-1-seropositive individuals and six seronegative controls. B cells and T-cell subsets in mononuclear cells were quantified using a three-colour flow cytometry protocol. Histological sections were morphologically classified and B-cell areas were quantified by morphometry. RESULTS: The B-cell fraction was confirmed to be relatively unchanged in asymptomatic HIV-1-seropositive individuals compared with controls. The tonsillar CD4 : B-cell ratios in asymptomatic individuals was similar to those seen in controls, whereas the CD4 : B-cell ratios in symptomatic HIV-1-infected individuals were greatly reduced. The tonsillar CD4 : CD8 cell ratios in HIV-1-infected individuals were much lower than those seen in controls, in the asymptomatic group due to a considerable expansion of the tonsillar CD8 cell subset, and in the symptomatic group also due to a loss of CD4 cells. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of CD4 cell depletion in tonsillar tissue in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected individuals despite low CD4 cell counts in blood. Loss of CD4 cells from this lymphoid tissue seems to occur as a late-stage phenomenon correlated with the onset of clinical symptoms.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Microbial colonization of large wounds.

This study determines the nature of microbial wound colonization in 28 patients with large burns admitted to the Burn Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen. Altogether, 748 swabs were taken in 141 sampling procedures. A total of 414 microbial isolates were detected and their resistance patterns to a variety of systemic antimicrobial agents determined. The most frequent isolates were coagulase-negative staphylococci (21.5 per cent) and Staphylococcus aureus (14 per cent), followed by Enterococcus species (11.3 per cent), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.9 per cent) and Candida species (9.7 per cent). Forty-one per cent of the enterococci and 36 per cent of the coagulase-negative staphylococci were resistant to the aminoglycosides routinely given in conjunction with surgery in our ward. Only four of the 89 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci were insensitive to methicillin, and no Staph. aureus were methicillin resistant. The time-related changes of burn wound colonization showed that on admission and during the first week, staphylococci and alpha-haemolytic streptococci were dominant. During the next weeks, these bacteria were gradually superceded by enterococci, gram-negative opportunists (mainly Pseud. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Escherichia coli) and Candida species. The nature of microbial wound colonization and how the flora changes with time should be taken into consideration by those treating thermally injured patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Increased levels of circulating interleukin-8 in patients with large burns: relation to burn size and sepsis.

Large burns are followed by significant trauma-induced immunomodulation, and activated neutrophils can be demonstrated in the circulation of burn patients shortly after injury. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a recently described molecule with neutrophil activating properties and in the present study we have measured the concentration of this cytokine in plasma from 27 patients with large burns during hospitalization using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean patient plasma concentration of IL-8 at admission was about 60 times higher than that of healthy controls. Furthermore, patients with total body surface area burn of more than 40% had significantly higher IL-8 concentrations in plasma than patients with smaller burns. For patients without serious infectious complications, the IL-8 concentration fell gradually after injury, whereas in patients with complicating sepsis a second peak of IL-8 was demonstrated. Thus, the increased IL-8 concentrations seem to be related to burn size and to have a role in the pathophysiology of sepsis in patients with large burns. The large amounts of circulating IL-8 following thermal injury may contribute to the strong and sustained activation of neutrophils reported earlier in patients with large burns.

Adolescent↗