Mierzchala-Pasierb M, et al. - In this observational and prospective study of 40 ICU cases of sepsis or septic shock, researchers assessed the utility of IL-18 assessment for prognostication as well as discrimination in the early stage of sepsis and septic shock, as compared to PCT, CRP, WBC evaluation for the same purpose. On admission, as well as on the 2nd, 3rd and 5th therapy day, participants' serum PCT, IL-18, CRP and WBC measurements were taken and assessed. Using commercially available test according to manufacturer’s protocol, they measured IL-18 level. In all time points throughout the study, no significant differences between any analyzed subgroups were revealed by PCT, CRP and WBC levels. Compared to PCT, CRP and WBC, IL-18 offered better discrimination of sepsis and septic shock status, as a biomarker, but demonstrated no prognostic influence.