Analysis index

1 ml Serum
1 ml EDTA plasma
(Stability at room temperature 6 hours; at 4°C 2 days)

< 7 pg/ml

• Diagnostic and prognostic parameter of trauma, SIRS, sepsis
• Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis
• Prognostic parameter in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in view of the risk of artificial ventilation; assessment of progress in case of ARDS and artificial ventilation

IL-6 is an early marker of inflammation. Increased values are already measurable 24 – 48 hours before the onset of clinical symptoms such as fever. In the early phase of inflammation IL-6 is superior to other inflammation markers such as leucocyte count, CRP and procalcitonin.

The following applies on estimate:

Concentrations ≤ 150 pg/ml can point toward a local infection.

Values > 150 pg/ml indicate systemic inflammation (SIRS, sepsis).

Symptomatic COVID-19 patients with IL-6 > 35 pg/ml have a higher risk of requiring artificial ventilation during their hospitalization; an assessment should always be made in conjunction with the clinical picture and other laboratory parameters.

Increased values also in case of tissue hypoxia and tissue trauma, after operations, during pregnancy, in case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), rheumatoid arthritis, cardiac myxoma, graft-vs-host reaction, plasmocytoma. 

False positive values are possible during antibody therapy following organ transplant.

MVZ VivaNeo Kinderwunschzentrum Düsseldorf