Comparison of cytokine responses in nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with viral lower respiratory tract infections.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) cytokine response is different according to the causative viruses in children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI).


METHODS
NPAs from 277 children with LRTI caused by respiratory virus were evaluated. Based on the proven viral agents, LRTI patients were divided into four groups. Levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma were determined by ELISA.


RESULTS
Patients with influenza virus infection demonstrated significantly lower IL-4 and IL-5 levels than those with other three groups. Patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection showed an increase in production of IL-4 and IL-5, and a decrease in the IFN-gamma level when compared to patients with influenza virus infection. Interestingly, a similar Th2 response was seen in patients with parainfluenza virus or adenovirus infection.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that respiratory viruses can induce different local cytokine responses. However, Th2 biased responses are not unique for RSV but seem to be predominant in respiratory viruses of young children.
Byeon
Jung Hye
JH
Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Jin Chul
JC
Choi
Ic Sun
IS
Yoo
Young
Y
Park
Sang Hee
SH
Choung
Ji Tae
JT
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D018108:Respirovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010253:Respirovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma