Hypoglycemia, hormones and cytokines in fatal meningococcal septicemia.

A unique case report with sequential measurements of the plasma concentrations of glucoregulatory hormones, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor during development of hypoglycemia in fatal meningococcemia is presented. Hormonal explanations for hypoglycemia like hyperinsulinemia or defective hypoglycemic counter-regulation were excluded. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor were skyhigh. The putative relation between cytokines and hypoglycemia in sepsis is discussed.