Tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-2, and interferon-gamma in adult varicella.
Adult varicella can be a severe illness complicated by pneumonia, encephalitis, or prolonged fever. This study measured levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon gamma (IFN-G) in a consecutive group of 31 adult varicella patients presenting within 24 hours of rash onset. All cytokines were assayed using an ELISA technique. TNF-alpha was detectable in 71% of patients with a mean level of 52 pg/ml. IL-2 was detectable in 29% with a mean level of 1040 pg/ml. IFN-gamma was detectable in only 9%. There was no correlation between TNF, IL-2, or IFN-G level and clinical severity as determined by duration and severity of cutaneous findings, duration of fever, frequency of hepatitis, or thrombocytopenia.
Wallace
M R
MR
Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Hospital, San Diego, California 92134-5000.
Woelfl
I
I
Bowler
W A
WA
Olson
P E
PE
Murray
N B
NB
Brodine
S K
SK
Oldfield
E C
EC
Arvin
A M
AM
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000212:Acyclovir