Inflammatory factors predict infection risk during chemotherapy in leukemia patients.

Background: This study explores the novel role of specific inflammatory factors in predicting infection risk among leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy, providing new insights into managing leukemia-associated infections.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 244 leukemia patients suspected of infection, divided into the infected group (n = 194) and the uninfected group (n = 50) based on etiological testing. The infected group was further categorized into bacterial (n = 123), fungal (n = 22), and viral (n = 49) infection subgroups. Inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-127P0, and IFN-α were measured using ELISA kits. Additional markers such as hs-CRP, SAA, and PCT were also assessed for the infected group.

Results: The levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, and IFN-α significantly differed between the infected and uninfected groups (P < 0.05). IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly higher in the infected group compared to the uninfected group. Significant differences in PCT, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 levels were observed among patients with bacterial, fungal, and viral infections (P < 0.05). However, none of these inflammatory factors were predictive of infection type.

Conclusion: IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were identified as independent predictors of infection risk. However, no inflammatory factors could be used to distinguish between different types of infections.