Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pituitary "stress"
hormone that plays a critical role in the host immune response. The aims of the study were to determine whether MIF was detectable in the circulation of
trauma patients, to assess whether MIF levels were associated with injury severity, days post injury,
infection, and to examine concentrations of other pro-inflammatory
cytokines in circulation. We collected plasma samples from 35
trauma (multiple injury) patients and 18 healthy controls. Concentrations of MIF,
TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and
IL-6 were measured by ELISA. Average MIF concentration in plasma of
trauma patients was 14 fold higher than that of healthy controls (19,439+/-2,615 pg/ml in
trauma vs 1,337+/-286 pg/ml in control; p=0.0002). There was no correlation between MIF values and injury severity score or days post injury. Average level of
IL-6 in
trauma patients was 587+/-85 pg/ml but was not correlated with MIF concentration.
TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were not detectable in
trauma patients or healthy controls. Higher MIF levels were associated with positive cultures (blood, urine, sputum,
wound). These data suggest that MIF may be a possible
indicator of
infection in
trauma patients.