Shao WX, et al. - In the present study, the researchers reviewed the clinical significance of interleukin (IL)-6 in the differential diagnosis of sepsis as well as its capability of differentiating the sepsis induced by Gram-negative bacteria from that induced by Gram-positive bacteria. Three hundred seventy-nine children with sepsis were included in this investigation to form the case group, and their C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and IL-6 levels before antibiotics and after recovery were checked. As compared to children with sepsis induced by Gram-positive bacteria, CRP, PCT and IL-6 levels in children with sepsis induced by Gram-negative bacteria were significantly higher. Findings revealed that CRP, IL-6 and PCT were applicable to the differential diagnosis of sepsis and differentiating the sepsis induced by Gram-negative bacteria from Gram-positive bacteria. It was noted that the appropriate combinations of these indicators were capable of increasing differential diagnosis efficiency and can be used as markers of antibiotics usage.