Soluble E-selectin, interleukin-6 and tissue factor in two cases of meningococcal septicaemia.

Disseminated intra-vascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious and frequently fatal condition associated with gross abnormalities of thrombosis, haemostasis, vascular function and inflammation. We measured serial levels of plasma soluble E selectin (marking endothelia damage), interleukin 6 (IL-6, a marker if inflammation) and tissue factor (involved in coagulation) in two young adults with bacterially-induced DIC. Soluble E selectin and IL-6 were grossly elevated on presentation and increased as the DIC progressed. Tissue factor was normal on admission but also increased with the DIC. However, levels remained high in one of the patients who subsequently died, whilst levels resolved in the patient who survived. We suggest that both admission and evolving sE-selectin and IL-6 levels may be useful in predicting outcome, and that measurement of TF has little extra to offer.