Early response in septicemia in newborns and their mothers. Effect of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and tumor necrosis factor on lactoferrin release and the generation of tissue thromboplastin.

Using a whole blood in vitro model, we have investigated the effect of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci, GBS) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) on the generation of lactoferrin (LF), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) and tissue thromboplastin (TPL) in healthy newborns at term and their mothers. E. coli (at a final concentration of 10(7)/ml) significantly increased the release of LF in whole blood from newborns after 20 as well as 60 min stimulation, and in samples from their mothers after 60 min stimulation. A significant increase in the release of LF was observed in both newborns and their mothers after 20 and 60 min stimulation with TNF (at a final concentration of 1000 pg/ml). A combination of TNF/E. coli or TNF/GBS never gave any significant additional stimulatory effect. After stimulation with E. coli or GBS (both at a final concentration of 10(7)/ml) for 60 min a significant increase in production of TNF and TPL was observed in newborns. In newborns a significant increase in production of TNF and TPL was observed also after 20 min stimulation with E. coli. TNF (at a final concentration of 1000 pg/ml) significantly increased the generation of TPL after 20 and 60 min stimulation in both groups. There was a tendency for a greater release of LF and generation of TNF and TPL in samples from newborns compared with their mothers, but the differences were not statistically significant. E. coli, GBS and TNF had no significant effect on the production of IL-1.