Investigation of NLRP-3, CASPAS-1, IL-18 levels in pediatric intensiva care unit patients followed up with sepsis diagnosis

Due to the development of severe infection in the body, the immune system may cause some damage to organs and tissues due to its response. This serious condition, which can range from single or multiple organ failure to death, is called sepsis. In addition to chronic diseases such as congenital metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, immune deficiencies, malignancies, malnutrition, factors such as immunosuppressive agent use, age, gender, race or ethnic group can be listed as clinical risk factors that play a role in the incidence of severe sepsis. In childhood, sepsis is seen as a much more insidious and rapidly progressive process. Pyroptosis is a proinflammatory programmed cell death. Unlike apoptosis, it is a different form of cell death caused by caspase-1 during infection. Pyroptosis occurs rapidly, characterized by membrane disruption and the release of cytoplasmic content with a pronounced inflammatory response, and causes a cytokine storm. It results in the activation of gasdermin D, which identifies infectious and non-infectious stimuli, induces the activation of caspase-1 and caspase-4.5.11, and disrupts cell membrane integrity, and initiates inflammatory responses by releasing numerous pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-1 IL-1β and IL-18 outside the cell, leading to a cytokine storm. In this study, Blood samples were taken from 30 children with sepsis and 30 children without sepsis who were treated with a diagnosis of sepsis in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Şanlıurfa Education and Research Hospital. NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-18 levels in the samples were examined by ELISA method. The data obtained as a result of the study revealed the potential of using these parameters in the diagnosis and treatment of children with sepsis.