Markers of infection in amniotic fluid according to the results of standard AF culture and PCR/ESI-MS. Amniotic fluid concentrations of Interleukin-6 (Panel A) and white blood cells (WBCs) count (Panel B) as a function of PCR/ESI-MS and AF culture results. There was no significant difference in the median AF IL-6 concentration and WBC count between patients with negative AF culture and a positive PCR/ESI-MS (GE/well ≥17) and those patients with positive AF culture and positive PCR/ESI-MS (p= 0.43 and 0.28, respectively). Among patients with negative AF culture, those with a positive PCR/ESI-MS had a significantly higher median AF IL-6 concentration and WBC count than those patients with both tests negative (p<0.001 and p=0.02, respectively). The median AF IL-6 concentration in patients with positive AF culture and negative PCR/ESI-MS (GE/well < 17) was always < 2.6 ng/mL.
Amniotic fluid IL-6 concentration and white blood cell count according to the results of standard AF cultures and PCR/ESI-MS.