Sepsis and Interleukin: A Connection?

Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response caused by infection, is a severe and common condition in older adults. Genetic predispositions, particularly variations in genes regulating immune responses, play a critical role in its development. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a cytokine essential for neutrophil chemotaxis, is heavily implicated in inflammation, with elevated levels associated with sepsis severity. Specifically, studies suggest that the rs4073 polymorphism of the IL-8 gene may increase susceptibility to sepsis. Given conflicting findings, this study investigates the association between the rs4073 polymorphism of the IL-8 gene and sepsis susceptibility in adults.