Proinflammatory Cytokines in Peritonitis

RATIONALE We performed this study with the purpose of revealing different aspects of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in peritonitis. OBJECTIVES The aim of the presentation was to make a research on some of the immune response mediators in secondary peritonitis and to observe their capacity to anticipate the evolution towards septic complications. METHODS AND RESULTS We have undertaken a study on a group of 100 patients with acute diffuse peritonitis, between 2009 and 2011, in which we have accomplished the dosage of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF alpha cytokines in the serum of patients, in dynamics, for 7 days by using the Elisa method. Subsequently, we have compared the results to the ones of a control group. The data obtained indicated high levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the patients who subsequently suffered an unfavorable evolution towards septic complications. DISCUSSION The study of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF alpha blood dynamics, offers valuable information about the severity of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome in peritonitis. They can be valuable biomarkers in establishing the unfavorable evolution of patients, helping the physician to establish a sustained and specific treatment, even from the early phases of the illness.