Interleukin-6 ELISA in the Early Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis: Feasibility Within a Poor Setting in Bafoussam, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of mortality in Cameroon. Diagnosis still relies heavily on the detection of C reactive protein (CRP) levels, whereas other biomarkers like interleukin 6 (IL-6), could improve the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis in comparison to CRP. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of IL-6 ELISA as an early diagnostic tool within a Cameroonian context with the hope of its applicability in other poor income settings and in other diseases like COVID-19. Methods: We enrolled thirty-two (32) neonates equally distributed between a septic group (including infants with risk factors and clinical signs of sepsis) and a control group (infants without clinical signs of infections) in the study. We performed Full Blood Count, C-reactive protein and IL-6 ELISA on all blood samples. Thirty-five (35) medical personnel were interviewed in order to assess acceptability, practicality (cost and duration) and a limited-efficacy of IL-6 ELISA testing at the Bafoussam regional Hospital, Cameroon. Results: The mean age of participants was 2.81 days. IL-6 ELSIA showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 56.20%, 100%, 100% and 69.56% respectively while CRP was reported to be highly specific (81.25%). Despite a longer testing time of IL-6 ELISA compared to CRP (<i>p = 0.0385</i>), the IL-6 was acceptable (<i>p = 0.008</i>), affordable (<i>p = 0.006</i>) and could be promising for use within this poor setting. Conclusion: Though we did not see a strong correlation between its levels and the apparition of disease, IL-6 ELISA testing was feasible as a highly specific marker for an early diagnosis neonatal sepsis in Bafoussam, and could acceptably be used as an early diagnostic marker for other diseases like COVID-19 within that context.