A study of role of interleukin-8 in differentiating transudative and exudative pleural effusion

Abstract

Background: Differentiation between transudative and exudative effusion is considered the initial step in the etiological diagnosis of any pleural effusion. The differentiation is essential, since the treatment of underlying systemic cause is enough in transudative pleural effusion, whereas extensive investigations and treatment is required in exudative effusion. Recent studies have demonstrated the existence of a novel neutrophil activating peptide first named NAP-l, but subsequently renamed IL-8. Interleukin-8 being the mediator of local inflammation may help in the differentiation of transudates and exudates. Methodology: This is a hospital based cross sectional study which included 70 patients with pleural effusion. After diagnosing pleural effusion, they were further divided into two categories, namely transudate and exudate based on Light’s criteria. The concentration of pleural fluid interleukin-8 was determined by an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method by using commercially available assay kits. Statistical Analysis: All results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables and as frequencies for categorical variables. The difference in the age and gender between groups is disproved using independent student t-test and chi-square test, Mean pleural fluid Interleukin-8 level between the groups is analyzed using independent student t-test. Results: The parameters in Light’s criteria (pleural fluid protein and LDH) and Interleukin 8 were able to differentiate transudate from exudate and were found to be statistically significant with p value of Conclusions: It is clear from our study that IL-8 can be used to diagnose and differentiate exudates from transudative pleural effusions with a good sensitivity and specificity. Keywords: Pleural effusion, Interleukin 8, Exudative effusion, Transudative effusion, Empyema.