Serum concentrations of interleukin-2R (IL-2R), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with ectopic pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic relevance of serum cytokine concentrations in ectopic pregnancy (EP). DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S) Seventeen women with EP, 22 women with miscarriage, and 33 women with normal intrauterine pregnancy, at comparable stages of gestation. INTERVENTION(S) Interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) determination by immunoradiometric assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Serum concentrations of progesterone, beta-hCG, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha. RESULT(S) Serum levels of IL-6 were higher in women with EP than in those with miscarriage and normal pregnancy. Serum levels of TNF-alpha were higher in women with EP than in those with miscarriage and normal pregnancy. Serum levels of IL-8 were higher in women with EP than in those with miscarriage and normal pregnancy. An IL-8 cutoff of >40 pg/mL predicted EP with a sensitivity of 82.4%, a specificity of 81.8%, and positive and negative predictive values of 58.3% and 93.8%. No difference in serum IL-2R levels was found among the groups. CONCLUSION(S) Serum IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-alpha concentrations are higher in women with EP than in those with miscarriage and normal pregnancy. Further studies are needed to determine their diagnostic value.