Diagnostic value of elevated serum miRNA-143 levels in sepsis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate serum micro RNA-143 (miR-143) levels in patients with sepsis or non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and investigate its possible diagnostic or prognostic value. METHODS Serum was obtained from patients with sepsis or SIRS and healthy control subjects. Relative miR-143 expression was determined using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic and prognostic value of serum miR-143 was evaluated. RESULTS Serum miR-143 levels were significantly higher in patients with sepsis (n = 103) than patients with SIRS (n = 95) and healthy controls (n = 40). There were significant positive correlations between serum miR-143 level and SOFA and APACHE II scores in patients with sepsis (r = 0.794 and r = 0.825, respectively). Serum miR-143 had a sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 91.6% for distinguishing between sepsis and SIRS. There was no association between serum miR-143 and 28-day survival in patients with sepsis. CONCLUSION Serum miR-143 is elevated in patients with sepsis, and may be a useful biomarker for distinguishing between sepsis and SIRS.