Diagnostic and prognostic utility of serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ in Neonatal Sepsis
1 Balad Technical Institute, Middle Technical University.
2 Department of Biology, College of Science, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq.
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2026, 11(02), 142-148.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2026.11.2.0050
Publication history:
Received on 26 April 2026; revised on 02 June 2026; accepted on 04 June 2026
Abstract:
Objective(s): Neonatal sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among infants. Nonspecific signs and symptoms, as well as the time-consuming nature of culture, can hinder early diagnosis. In this study, assessment of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was done to serve as early diagnostic and prognostic markers in neonatal sepsis.
Materials and Methods: In a prospectively conducted case-control study, 84 subjects were recruited among neonates aged more than 72 hours. The sepsis group (n=42) consisted of newborn infants with proven or suspected sepsis, and the control group (n=42) consisted of healthy newborn infants. ELISA detected serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ. ROC-curve analysis was applied to assess diagnostic accuracy.
Results: Levels of serum cytokines were significantly higher in septic neonates (TNF-α: 96.5 pg/mL, IL-1β: 84.7 pg/mL, IFN-γ: 70.3 pg/mL) than controls (TNF-α: 12.2 pg/mL, IL-1β: 9.6 pg/mL, IFN-γ: 8.5 pg/mL, P75 pg/ml was a predictor of mortality with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 91%. IL-1β >60 pg/ml presented the greatest diagnostic value for sepsis. IFN-γ had medium diagnostic efficacy, but enhanced the combination of biomarkers.
Conclusion: Higher levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ are valuable for diagnosing neonatal sepsis at an early stage. TNF-α is the most potent independent prognostic factor. Dichotic use of these cytokines, diagnostically, might improve performance.
Keywords:
Neonatal Sepsis; TNF-Α; IL-1β; IFN-Γ; Cytokines; Diagnosis; Prognosis
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