Serum Mrp8/14 Levels as a Prognostic Tool in Sepsis-Induced ARDS

In a retrospective cohort analysis, Mrp8/14 (calprotectin) levels were associated with increased ICU mortality in patients with sepsis-induced pulmonary ARDS, offering an objective admission-time biomarker that could sharpen early ICU risk stratification. The study enrolled adults who developed pulmonary ARDS in the context of sepsis and used ICU mortality as the primary endpoint.

In a cohort of 153 ICU patients (pulmonary ARDS subgroup n=87), researchers reported higher median Mrp8/14 in non-survivors versus survivors and an adjusted odds ratio of 1.223 per unit (95% CI, 1.105–1.375). Discrimination for ICU death was strong (AUC 0.872) in sepsis-induced pulmonary ARDS, and Kaplan-Meier stratification showed a higher hazard (HR 3.48) for patients with higher admission Mrp8/14. Non-survivors also had greater rates of shock and renal replacement therapy.

Mrp8/14reflects neutrophil and monocyte activation and therefore indexes innate immune activation and local pulmonary inflammation that contribute to sepsis-associated lung injury. Compared with broad acute‑phase reactants such as C‑reactive protein or procalcitonin, Mrp8/14 may more directly capture leukocyte‑driven alveolar injury and thus provide incremental prognostic information for respiratory failure. Because the marker originates from activated myeloid cells, elevated levels plausibly mirror processes that increase risk of organ failure and death—supporting prognostic utility without establishing causation.