Interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 plasma levels and mRNA expression in polytrauma patients.

PURPOSE: Host response to polytrauma occasionally has unpredictable outcomes. Immune response is a major factor influencing patient's outcome. This study evaluated the interaction of two main cytokines in immune response after major trauma, specifically interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Plasma level of these cytokines is determined by mRNA expression of these cytokines genes which may decide the outcome of polytrauma patients. METHODS: This prospective multicenter trial held at four trauma centers enrolled 54 polytrauma patients [Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16]. Plasma levels and mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured for 5 days after trauma. Clinical evaluation was conducted to observe whether patients endured multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and death. MODS evaluation was performed using sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). Trauma load which in this study is represented with ISS, plasma level, expression of cytokine genes and patient's outcome were examined with correlation test and statistical analysis. RESULTS: The elevated IL-6/IL-10 ratio indicated increased activity of systemic inflammation response, especially pro-inflammation response which bears higher probability of progressing to MODS and death. The decline of IL-6/IL-10 ratio with heavy trauma load (ISS > 30) showed that compensatory anti-inflammation response syndrome (CARS) state was more dominant than systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), indicating that malfunction and failure of immune system eventually lead to MODS and deaths. The statistical significance in plasma level of cytokines was found in the outcome group which was defined as bearing a low trauma load but mortality. CONCLUSION: The pattern of cytokine levels in inflammation response has great impact on the outcome of polytrauma patients. Further study at the genetic level is needed to investigate inflammation process which may influence patient's outcome.

Terrorism in Indonesia.

Indonesia has had its share of natural and manmade disasters. From 1997 to 2002, Indonesia has experienced 90 incidents of terrorist bomb attacks. In 13 (14.4%) of the terrorist attacks, the bombs did not explode. A total of 224 persons have been killed, and 340 persons have been injured. Most of those killed or injured were the result of the bombings in Jakarta and Bali. Besides bombings, there have been riots, especially in Jakarta. The Indonesian Surgeons Association established the 1-1-8 Emergency Ambulance Service Foundation to develop the Prehospital Emergency Medical Services in Indonesia. Despite difficulties, this service has been implemented in 18 cities. The occurrence of disasters, riots, ethnic conflicts, terrorist attacks, and the introduction of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course in 1995, have helped to convince the people and the government that it was important to develop this 1-1-8 Emergency Ambulance Services system, and agreed to accept a Safe Community Program. With the Safe Community Program, Jakarta with its Integrated 1-1-8 Emergency Ambulance Service managed to provide proper emergency medical care to the casualties caused by terrorist bombings, riots, and in the three weeks of floods during which 75% of Jakarta was submerged.