Cytokines in haemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infection

The proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured in plasma and urine samples from 19 children with verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) induced haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and 30 controls. TNF-a was detected in the plasma of two cases and one control; IL-6 in the plasma of one, and the urine of two cases, and in the plasma of one control. IL-1 beta and IL-8 were each identified in eight of the 19 cases and in one and two controls respectively. Urinary IL-8 was found in seven cases, four of whom had plasma concentrations below the limit of detection suggesting renal secretion of this cytokine. Cytokine concentrations did not correlate with peripheral blood neutrophil count at onset of disease. These data confirm the systemic release of cytokines responsible for the coordination of acute inflammatory processes in some children with VTEC induced HUS.