title: Interferon-gamma-inducing factor (IL-18) and interferon-gamma in inflammatory CNS diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the intrathecal production of a newly identified cytokine, interferon-gamma-inducing factor (IL-18), together with interferon-gamma itself, in inflammatory diseases of the CNS (i.e., bacterial meningitis, viral meningoencephalitis, and MS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-18 concentrations in CSF were significantly increased in bacterial meningitis and tended toward increased levels in viral meningoencephalitis. In contrast, IL-18 was detectable only in a few patients with MS and healthy controls. Interestingly, interferon-gamma was significantly increased selectively in CSF of patients with viral meningoencephalitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observation of an intrathecal release of IL-18 in patients with meningitis argues for a pathophysiologic role of this novel cytokine in immunity against invading microorganisms the CNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Klinikum Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fassbender
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mielke
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bertsch
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muehlhauser
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hennerici
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurimoto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossol
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D020382:Interleukin-18; D007371:Interferon-gamma