OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of continuous plasma filtration absorption (CPFA) treatment on burn sepsis.

METHODSThirty burn patients with sepsis hospitalized in Beijing Fengtai You'anmen Hospital from July 2009 to October 2012 were treated by CPFA for twice besides routine treatment. The blood samples were collected at five sites (A, B, C, D, and E, respectively) of blood purification equipment before and after CPFA, before and after hemoabsorption, and before hemofiltration. The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR) I , and sTNFR-II from sites A, C, and E were determined with ELISA before CPFA was performed for the first time, and those from sites B and D were determined with ELISA after CPFA was performed for the first time. Plasma levels of the above-mentioned cytokines from sites A and B were determined with ELISA before CPFA and after CPFA was performed for the second time. The data of plasma levels of IL-1βP3, IL-1RA, sTNFR-I, sTNFR-II, and TNF-α before CPFA and after CPFA was performed for the second time were collected for calculation of the ratios of IL-1RA to IL-1β and sTNFR-I plus sTNFR-II to TNF-α. The expression rate of human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) on the CD14 positive monocytes, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and leukocyte count of patients were evaluated or recorded before CPFA and after CPFA was performed for the second time. Patients'condition was observed. Data were processed with paired t test.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 from site B after CPFA was performed for the second time were significantly lower than those from site A before CPFA was performed for the first time (with t values respectively 7.05, 5.23, 4.73, 2.37, P values below 0.01). After CPFA was performed for the first time, the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 from site D were significantly lower than those from site C before CPFA was performed for the first time (with t values respectively 5.48, 2. 17, 1.78, P < 0.05 or P <0.01). The plasma levels of all cytokines were close between site B after CPFA was performed for the first time and site E before CPFA was performed for the first time (with t values from 0.04 to 1.05, P values above 0.05). The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 from site B after CPFA was performed for the second time were significantly lower than those from site A before CPFA was performed for the second time (with t values from 1.87 to 5.93, P <0.05 or P <0.01). The ratios of IL-1RA to IL-1β and sTNFR-I plus sTNFR-II to TNF-α, and expression rate of HLA-DR were increased significantly after CPFA was performed for the second time as compared with those before CPFA (with t values from 3.99 to 7. 80, P values below 0.01). APACHE II score after CPFA was performed for the second time was 11 ± 6, which was lower than that before CPFA (22 ± 7, t =4.63, P <0.01). After CPFA was performed for the second time, body temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate of patients were improved (with t values from 1.95 to 3.55, P values below 0.05) , and the leukocyte count was significantly decreased (t =4.36, P <0.01) as compared with those before CPFA. All patients survived and were discharged with length of stay of (27 ± 31) d, and no adverse effects occurred during CPFA treatment.

CONCLUSIONSCPFA, which combines hemoabsorption and hemofiltration, can facilitate the treatment of burn sepsis by decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines efficiently, alleviating systemic inflammatory response, and improving the immune status.