Interferon production in children with respiratory diseases.
In 110 children aged between 6 months and 18 years the ability of leukocytes to produce the leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha) in vitro was studied. The decrease or disappearance of IFN-alpha production was observed in some children with chronic or repeated respiratory diseases and in the majority of children who had been treated with prednisone. Increased production of IFN-alpha was found in a child with hypogammaglobulinemia and bronchopneumonia. In children affected by allergic or autoimmune diseases or bacterial infections IFN-alpha production was mostly normal. Age and sex had no influence on the production of IFN-alpha.
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000378:metabolism; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000378:metabolism*
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011241:Prednisone