@Article{,
AUTHOR = {Kathrin Lungstras-Bufler, Philip Bufler, Rabiatu Abdullah, Christine Rutherford, Stefan Endres, Edward Abraham, Charles A. Dinarello, Robert M. Rodriguez},
TITLE = {High cytokine levels at admission are associated with fatal outcome in patients with necrotizing fasciitis},
JOURNAL = {European Cytokine Network},
VOLUME = {15},
YEAR = {2004},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {135--138},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/ECN/v15n2/66392},
ISSN = {1952-4005},
ABSTRACT = {We evaluated in a blinded fashion the cytokine profiles of patients with suspected necrotizing
fasciitis. In 15 out of 20 patients, the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was established; five patients had cellulitis.
Eighteen of the 20 patients were i.v. drug users. Five of the 15 patients with necrotizing fasciitis died (33%). On
admission, serum levels for interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-18 and interferon-γ
(IFNγ) as well as white blood cells (WBC) were significantly elevated in patients with fatal outcome compared to
survivors with necrotizing fasciitis. IL-1Ra and WBC levels were also higher than in patients with cellulitis. No
differences were observed between patients groups for IL-6 and IL-8. In summary, significantly elevated levels of
proinflammatory cytokines and particularly IL-1Ra are associated with fatal outcome in patients with necrotizing
fasciitis. The measurement of proinflammatory cytokines and IL-1Ra may help to establish early diagnosis of
life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis and thus to initiate aggressive treatment.},
DOI = {}
}