Development of rapid whole blood cytokine analysis technique. Evaluation of clinical use in severe sepsis.

Important results from the project

Sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock represent the clinical manifestations of a life-threatening infection. The number of sepsis cases in the Western world can be estimated to more than 2 million per year. This project aims at developing diagnostic and prognostic methodology for use in early detection of sepsis as well as for monitoring different phases of the disease. Upregulation of several cytokines which induce inflammation is characteristic for sepsis and cytokines also play a crucial role in the pathogenesis.

Expected long term effects

We aim at developing a method for real-time measurements of multiple cytokines in whole blood. The method could become a potent instrument in sepsis research and an important tool for evaluation of new methods and strategies for treatment. With a simplified test procedure and adaption to whole blood analysis, we believe that the method can be an important diagnostic and prognostic test for identification of both early and late stages of sepsis.

Approach and implementation

The study is a collaborative effort between Sweden´s major infectious disease clinic at Karolinska hospital and Mabtech AB with long experience of developing immunological tests. The clinical competence and access to large patient material at the hospital will give excellent opportunity for validating Mabtech´s unique tests.