title: Serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of interleukin-18 in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-associated central nervous system disease.
abstract: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine released by macrophages that strongly stimulates the production of interferon-gamma, thereby linking innate and acquired immunity. Its role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pathogenesis is under debate and little is known about its role in neuro-AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of IL-18 were determined by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 22 HIV-seropositive patients without neurological symptoms (HIV+), 21 patients with AIDS dementia complex (ADC), and 31 patients with AIDS-defining opportunistic infections (OIs) of the brain. Thirty-two HIV seronegative patients (HIV-) served as controls. Compared to HIV- controls, serum IL-18 levels were increased in HIV+ and ADC but not in OI patients. In contrast, CSF IL-18 levels were elevated in OI patients whereas HIV+ and ADC patients were not different from HIV- controls. We provide evidence for an significantly increased IL-18 level in the CSF of HIV+ patients with cerebral OIs, suggestive of a role for IL-18 in the intrathecal host response to OIs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany. giesenhj@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: von Giesen
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jander
authors.forename: Hubertus
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Köller
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arendt
mesh_terms: D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000328:Adult; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D020382:Interleukin-18