Anti-interleukin-8 auto-antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid of children with purulent meningitis.
BACKGROUND
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with purulent meningitis contains a high concentration of interleukin (IL)-8. Recently, the presence of anti-IL-8 auto-antibodies was noted in blood and alveolar fluid. Therefore, measurement of the concentration of anti-IL-8 auto-antibodies was attempted in CSF of children with and without meningitis.


RESULTS
We measured the concentration of anti-IL-8 auto-antibodies in CSF of children with purulent or aseptic meningitis and those without meningitis. The CSF obtained on admission showed a significantly higher concentration of anti-IL-8 IgG and IgM auto-antibodies in children with purulent meningitis, compared with those with aseptic meningitis or without meningitis. Among the three groups of children, the concentration of IL-8 was also significantly higher in CSF of children with purulent meningitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Because the anti-IL-8 IgG auto-antibody binds to IL-8 and inhibits IL-8 interaction with specific receptors on neutrophils, the presence of anti-IL-8 auto-antibodies seems to provide a mechanism that limits the bioavailability of free IL-8 in CSF.
Takasaki
J
J
Department of Pediatrics, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical School, Japan. fwkd2376@mb.infoweb.ne.jp
Ogawa
Y
Y
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000276:immunology*; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013492:Suppuration / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016209:Interleukin-8