Plasma nuclear and mitochondrial DNA levels as predictors of outcome in severe sepsis patients in the emergency room.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND AIM: The sensitivity and specificity of biomarkers and scoring systems used for predicting fatality of severe sepsis patients remain unsatisfactory. This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of circulating plasma DNA levels in severe septic patients presenting at the Emergency Department (ED). METHODS: Sixty-seven consecutive patients with severe sepsis and 33 controls were evaluated. Plasma DNA levels were estimated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay using primers for the human ?-hemoglobin and ND2 gene. The patients' clinical and laboratory data on admission were analyzed. RESULTS: The median plasma nuclear and mitochondria DNA levels for severe septic patients on admission were significantly higher than those of the controls. The mean plasma nuclear DNA level on admission correlated with lactate concentration (??=?0.36, p?=?0.003) and plasma mitochondrial DNA on admission (??=?0.708, p?

SUBMITTER: Kung CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3441240 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature