Serum Levels of TNF- α, IL-10 and Albumin in Female Patients with Post-Surgical Wound Infection in Asaba Delta State, Nigeria
Ehiaghe, F.A.
Department of Immunology and Immunochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Nworah, C.M.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ehiaghe, J.I. *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Nigeria.
Osakue, O.N.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Olisah, M.C.
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria.
Ize-Iyamu, J.
Edo State Health Management Board, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Amengialue, O.O.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Wellspring University, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Ogoegbunam, N.D.
Department of Immunology and Immunochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Post-operative wound infections (POWIs), sometimes referred to as post-surgical wound infections (PSWIs), are a common complication following surgery. Surgeries frequently elicit a variety of immunological responses subsequent to tissue damage and incision which may hinder wound healing and infection resolution leading to poor patient outcome. This cross-sectional study assessed the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10 and albumin in female patients with post-surgical wound infection in Asaba Delta State, Nigeria. Twenty-five (25) patients with PSWIs and 25 apparently healthy individuals (control group) were recruited by random sampling method. Four millilitres (4 ml) of venous blood samples were collected for the determination of serum TNF-α, IL-10 and albumin levels. TNF-α and IL-10 levels were estimated with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas serum albumin was assessed with the Bromocresol green (BCG) method. The data obtained was analyzed using an independent t-test and Pearson correlation, with a p-value of <0.05 indicating statistical significance. The mean serum TNF-α (143.44 ±7.35 Vs 37.32 ±8.92; p = 0.001) and IL-10 (27.52 ±7.77 Vs 17.12 ±6.23; p = 0.001) levels were significantly higher while serum albumin level was significantly lower (34.14 ±5.43 Vs 40.19 ±3.38; p = 0.001) in the female patients with PSWIs than in the control group. However, no significant correlation was observed between the levels of TNF-α Vs albumin and IL-10 Vs albumin (p>0.05). The elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α may lead to adverse patient outcomes by hindering wound healing and slowing infection resolution.
Keywords: POWIs, TNF-α, IL-10, albumin, patients