title: Serum levels of interleukin-18 in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-18, a newly discovered cytokine produced primarily by macrophages, has been shown to induce gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by natural killer cells, to induce the T helper type 1 response. To further elucidate the role of this cytokine in uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, serum levels of IL-18, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), determined by an immunoenzymatic assay, were analyzed in 40 adult patients, and in 15 healthy control subjects. A significant increase in serum levels of IL-18 was observed in patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria on admission, whereas serum levels of IFN-gamma tended to increase although not significantly. Serum levels of IL-18 decreased three days later, but still remained significantly high, whereas IFN-gamma levels returned to normal levels compared to the controls. No significant correlation was found between parasitemia and serum levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma. The increase of IL-18 levels during acute and recovery phases of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria may reflect a proinflammatory role of IL-18 in these patients. An early and effective immune response regulated by proinflammatory Th1 cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-12, and possibly IFN-gamma may limit the progression from uncomplicated malaria to severe and life-threatening complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital, Viale Borri 57, 21100 Varese, Italy. eiwle@tin.it
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giola
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Speranza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matteelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Basilico
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biondi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D020382:Interleukin-18; D007371:Interferon-gamma