Objective: To determine interleukin-18 (IL-18) in plasma after trauma, and evaluate its relationship with multiple organ dysfunction syndromes.
Methods: A total of 54 patients were enrolled and divided into low injury seriousness score (L-ISS) and high injury seriousness score (H-ISS) groups. Blood IL-18 levels were determined on admission, day 4, day 7 and day 14 after trauma using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA), and the relationship between its level and organ dysfunction was analyzed.
Results: Plasma IL-18 concentration was significantly increased on posttrauma day 4 and day 7. Also, plasma IL-18 concentration was significantly higher in patients with organ dysfunction.
Conclusion: This study suggests that major trauma can lead to a marked elevation of IL-18, which might be associated with organ dysfunction.