Mediators of Inflammation (Jan 2005)

The Differential Diagnostic Values of Cytokine Levels in Pleural Effusions

  • Saadet Akarsu,
  • A. Nese Citak Kurt,
  • Yasar Dogan,
  • Erdal Yilmaz,
  • Ahmet Godekmerdan,
  • A. Denizmen Aygun

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/MI.2005.2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2005, no. 1
pp. 2 – 8

Abstract

Read online

The aim is to examine whether the changes in pleural fluid interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were significant in differential diagnosis of childhood pleural effusions. IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in pleural fluids of all 36 patients were measured. The levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 in pleural fluids were statistically significantly higher in the transudate group compared with those of the exudate group. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were also found to be statistically significantly higher in the empyema group compared with both the parapneumonic and the tuberculous pleural effusion groups. The levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were detected to be statistically significantly higher in the tuberculous pleural effusion group in comparison with those of the parapneumonic effusion group. The results showed that pleural fluids IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 could be used in pleural fluids exudate and transudate distinction.