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Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) across conditions

Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) appears in 4 entries of the OSMF biomarker atlas, covering Gulf War Illness, Long COVID, ME/CFS, PACVS. Across those entries it is elevated in 3, mixed in 1. Because the same marker shifts in several unrelated conditions, it is best understood as a signal of shared biology such as inflammation, vascular or metabolic stress rather than as a condition-specific test. Each row below links to a page with the comparison group, associated symptoms, test details and primary citation.

Gulf War IllnessLong COVIDME/CFSPACVS

Where Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) is reported

Also listed as: CXCL8; Chemokine; IL-8; Interleukin-8 (IL-8); Pro-inflammatory cytokine

ConditionDirectionCompared againstAssociated symptomsSource
Gulf War Illness↑ elevatedhealthy Gulf War veteran controlsNeutrophil activationJohnson et al. 2016
Long COVID↑ elevatedhealthy controlsNeutrophil chemotaxisThomas et al. 2024
ME/CFS↕ inconsistenthealthy controlsNeutrophil recruitmentCorbitt et al. 2019
PACVS↑ elevatedhealthy controlsElevated in >80% of PACVS registry cohortMundorf et al. 2024

Frequently asked questions

In which conditions is Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) altered?

In the OSMF atlas Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) is reported in Gulf War Illness, Long COVID, ME/CFS, PACVS. It is elevated in 3, mixed in 1 across 4 entries.

Does Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) point to one specific diagnosis?

No. Because Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) changes in several conditions (Gulf War Illness, Long COVID, ME/CFS, PACVS), an abnormal result cannot identify which condition, if any, is present. It must be interpreted with symptoms, history and other tests.

What is the LOINC code for Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8)?

Entries in this atlas use LOINC 26998-9. LOINC codes identify the laboratory observation so results can be compared across systems.

Is one abnormal Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) result diagnostic?

No single biomarker result is diagnostic of any of these conditions. Findings reflect group averages from published cohorts with substantial overlap between patients and controls.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) across conditions: biomarker evidence. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/markers/interleukin-8-il-8-cxcl8.html
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-30 · Browse: Biomarker Index · All marker pages · Biomarker Atlas

Disclaimer: Educational synthesis of peer-reviewed research; not medical advice. Findings are group-level and vary with study design. Discuss any result with a qualified clinician.