Influence of systemic immune and cytokine responses during the acute phase of zoster on the development of postherpetic neuralgia.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a severe sequela of herpes zoster (HZ). Until now, only age and pain severity were considered predisposing factors for the development of PHN. We evaluated 49 patients with acute phase HZ, 10 of whom developed PHN (Group A) and 39 of whom did not develop PHN (Group B). Twenty-five healthy volunteers similar in age and gender distribution to the study group were recruited as controls (Group C). Numbers of serum CD3(+) (pan-T lymphocytes), CD4(+) (helper/inducer), and CD8(+) (suppressor/cytotoxic) lymphocytes were decreased significantly in Groups A and B relative to the control group, but there were no statistical differences between Groups A and B. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-8, and IL-10 were significantly elevated in Groups A and B relative to Group C. IL-6 was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B, and was significantly positively correlated with pain severity scored on a visual analog scale. Therefore, we suggest that the inflammatory response, especially that of IL-6, in the acute phase of HZ may be associated with hyperalgesia and the development of PHN.
Zhu
Sheng-mei
SM
Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Liu
Yong-min
YM
An
Er-dan
ED
Chen
Qing-lian
QL
D000208:Acute Disease; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000209:etiology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines