Kinetics of soluble interleukin-2 receptor after mechanical and burn trauma

Extended trauma causes a failure of T-lymphocyte function due to suppressed interleukin-2 synthesis; however, the role of IL-2 receptor, especially its soluble form (sIL-2R), needs to be further evaluated. It was the objective of the study to assess the kinetics of sIL-2R within different settings of trauma and to define its clinical value and possible predictive role. Three groups of patients with trauma were included in the study. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of multiply injured patients (injury severity score 35 ± 4 and 32 ± 4, respectively); burned patients formed group 3 (injury severity score 38 ± 9). Serum samples were collected at the site of the accident (group 1) and during the posttrauma course in the hospital (group 2, daily; group 3, weekly) and sIL-2R was measured in these samples. sIL-2R was within the normal range in groups 1 and 2, but was significantly increased in group 3. There was no correlation between serum concentrations of this mediator and susceptibility to infectious complications or outcome.