IL-6 and procalcitonin levels in hemodialysis patients with fungal infection

Abstract

Patients with end-stage renal failure suffer from a defect in the immune system and a weakening of cellular and humoral immune defenses and thus an increase in the incidence of fungal infections. The aim of study is to isolate and to identify fungi from urine samples of patients with kidney failure. A study of relationship between fungal infection and the changes occurring in some immune parameters including Interleukin-6, Procalcitonin, high sensitivity-CRP in hemodialysis patients with and without fungi and the control group was made. This study was conducted on 190 samples of renal failure patients undergoing dialysis in the hemodialysis unit at Kirkuk Teaching Hospital during the period from November 2022 to the end of March 2023. Statistical analysis for immunological parameters was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of laboratory culture showed the isolation of 58 fungal isolates, with a rate of 79.6% for yeasts and 20.4% for molds. Among the diagnosed yeasts, five types of yeasts belonging to the Candida genus showed different colors when cultivated on the differential medium Chrom Candida Agar (CCA) included Candida tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. albicans. Immunological parameters of IL-6, PCT and hs-CRP showed higher levels in patients compared to the control group. The results also recorded an increase in the serum level of IL-6 in those with yeasts than in those with mold. Furthermore, there was also a level of PCT and hs-CRP in mortality compared to survivors patients. The study showed prevalence of fungal infections among patients of renal failure and identification species of fungi . Study of the signification differences in immunological parameters, such as IL-6 and procalcitonin, provide valuable insights into the associations between fungal infections and immune responses in patients.