DIAGNOSTIC AND PREDICTIVE VALUE OF TNF Α, IL-8 AND IL-6 ASSAYS IN THE PATIENTS WITH MYCOPLASMA-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIAS

We have observed 128 patients with non-nosocomial pneumonias. Bacterial microflora was isolated in 22.6 per cent of entire group. 17 per cent of the samples were seropositive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, along with detectable DNA specific for this causal agent. In 25 per cent of the patients, isolation of bacterial microflora was associated with positive antibody titers to Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Serum contents of cytokines (TNFα, IL-8, IL-6) have been studied in the patients. A positive correlation was found between increased cytokine levels and severity of the disease.