Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the plasma levels of the circulating adhesion molecules sICAM-1 and sE-selectin could serve as early predictors of developing sepsis and its severity.
Methods: Twenty-four patients admitted to an intensive care unit with a high risk of developing septic complications were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into three groups: group I, with infection without systemic sepsis, n = 8; group II, surviving patients with severe sepsis and multi-organ failure (MOF), n = 8; and group III, nonsurviving patients with severe sepsis and MOF, n = 8. Classification of patients was performed according to the clinical criteria defined by the Sepsis Consensus Conference in 1992. Blood samples were taken at 7 a.m. starting from the day of admission until the 7th day after diagnosis of sepsis. Plasma levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin were determined in all samples taken between the 3rd pre-septic day and the 7th day after the diagnosis of sepsis was made.
Results: In group I, both sICAM-1 (354.21 +/- 128.60 ng/ml, 86 samples) and sE-selectin (30.41 +/- 7.20 ng/ml, 86 samples) levels remained within the reference range over the whole period of observation. The sICAM-1 levels of group II (between 550.82 +/- 275.67 ng/ml and 445.08 +/- 243.63 ng/ml) tended to show values above the reference range without being significant. Mean sICAM-1 levels in group II did not differ from those of group I. From the 2nd pre-septic day onwards the sICAM-1 levels of group III increased, but not significantly. Significant differences in sICAM-1 levels between group I and group III were observed, with peaks at the samples of the 2nd preseptic day and after the 3rd day of sepsis, respectively (P < 0.05). The sE-selectin levels in group II were elevated from the 3rd preseptic day onwards, with a peak value on the 2nd day of sepsis (P < 0.05). Afterwards, levels decreased to initial values despite ongoing sepsis. Mean values of sE-selectin levels of group I and II were significantly different with the onset of sepsis (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of sE-selectin in group III were significantly elevated (66.30 +/- 9.00 ng/ml on the 3rd pre-septic day), reaching their maximal values of 106.67 +/- 21.66 ng/ml at the end of the observation period. Significant differences between sE-selectin levels of groups I and III existed from the 3rd pre-septic day onwards, and between group II and III on the 7th and 8th day of sepsis.
Conclusion: Our results show that sICAM-1 is a relatively non-specific indicator for sepsis. In contrast, sE-selectin seems to be a good and early predictor of the beginning of severe sepsis with MOF. Furthermore, sE-selectin levels seem to have a prognostic value for the severity, possible course, and outcome of developing sepsis.