Serum levels of granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) in bacterial and viral infections, and in atypical pneumonia

Abstract

Serum granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was measured with an ELISA method in patients with acute bacterial and viral infections, or with an atypical pneumonia. Before initiation of antibiotic treatment, G-CSF was found to be significantly increased (799 +/- 1501 ng/l) in sera from 34 patients with an acute bacterial infection compared with the 27 patients with a viral infection (58 +/- 34 ng/l; P < 0.001) and with the eight patients with an atypical pneumonia (60 +/- 33) ng/l; P < 0.001). No significant difference in G-CSF levels was seen between gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial infections. In septic shock, increased G-CSF levels were seen both in patients with leucocytosis and leucopenia. In uncomplicated bacterial infections, both G-CSF and IL-6 were increased on day 0, and decreased rapidly after initiation of antibacterial therapy and before the patients became afebrile. In bacterial infections on day 0, G-CSF levels correlated with mononuclear cells (rs = -0.62, P < 0.001), IL-6 (rs = 0.40, P < 0.05) and S-MPO (rs = -0.5, P < 0.01). In viral infections, G-CSF was correlated with mononuclear cells (rs = 0.41, P < 0.05), white blood cell counts (rs = 0.56, P < 0.01), neutrophils (rs = 0.41, P < 0.05) and CRP (rs = 0.47, P < 0.05). We conclude that G-CSF is rapidly raised in the blood in acute bacterial infections but not in acute viral infections or in infections with Mycoplasma pneumonia. Our results also support the theory that G-CSF is involved in the mechanisms of mobilization of neutrophils into the peripheral circulation.

Role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in infection and inflammation

“…[87,89],and especially patientsin the acute phase of infection [90] have elevated G-CSF senllIl levels; Thesereachd higher p'eaksin patients during the ·first 'coUfseof infection than in, those who had recently experienced previous infections [91]. Trauma and sepsispatients,alsodisplayedhigh G-CSF levels whichde-' creasedon\recovery' [92];'Incontrast, GeCSPlevelsarenot raised in acute viral infections/or ininfections with Mycoplasmapneumoniae [88];…”

Biologic and molecular effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in healthy individuals: recent findings and current challenges

“…7 Serum G-CSF levels were found to be elevated (approximately 10-fold) in bacterial but not in viral infections or infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. 9 In patients with septic shock due to a variety of conditions, endogenous G-CSF serum concentrations ranged from less than 50 pg/mL up to 2885 pg/mL. 10 After subcutaneous administration of a single 300-g dose of filgrastim to 2 healthy volunteers, peak G-CSF plasma levels were observed at 4 hours after injection (25 000 pg/mL and 44 000 pg/mL), a 500-to 1000-fold increase.…”

Mechanisms of Neutrophil Accumulation in the Lungs Against Bacteria

“…During bacterial pneumonia, the lung expresses G-CSF (126,127). In contrast to most cytokines, which are ''compartmentalized'' within the lung during infection, G-CSF readily exits the pulmonary tissue and enters the circulation during infection (126,128). G-CSF thus serves as a means of communication between the infected lung and bone marrow (129).…”