Serum IL-18 Is Increased at Early Postburn Period in Moderately Burned Patients

Abstract

A severe systemic inflammatory response is usually seen after burn injury. IL-18enhances the Th1 immune responses in bacterial andviral infections. In order to evaluate the IL-18serum levels as well as IL-6and TNF-αat the48th hour postburn, serial serum samples of8burned patients were analyzed.8moderately burned patients were included into the study. Serum samples were taken at admission at the48th hour of postburn. IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-αserum levels were analyzed. Total mean burned surface area (TBSA) was24.6±5.7%and mean BMI (body mass index) was24.5±3.4. The patients' age ranged from17to38(mean26.3±7.4) years. An increase in sera IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-αwas detected at the48th hour postburn (P<.0001). All patients survived. A marked increase in serum levels of IL-18as well as the other cytokines evaluated was observed in the moderately burned patients. These three parameters were highly correlated with each other (r>0.9andP<.001). This is the first study that shows an increase in serum IL-18levels at the early postburn period.