[Interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome and concurrent ventilator-associated pneumonia].
OBJECTIVE
To study the concentrations of IL-4 and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and concurrent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).


METHODS
Sixty-eight neonates with RDS undergoing mechanical ventilation for over 48 hrs were enrolled. IL-4 and IL-13 levels in BALF were measured using ELISA 1, 72 and 96 hrs after mechanical ventilation. The results were compared between the neonates with concurrent VAP (n=37) and without (n=31).


RESULTS
The levels of BALF IL-4 96 hrs after ventilation in the VAP group (35.34+/-1.78 ng/mL) were significantly higher than those in the non-VAP group (13.69+/-2.47 ng/mL, P<0.05). The levels of BALF IL-13 96 hrs after ventilation in the VAP group (33.74+/-2.74 ng/mL) also increased significantly compared with those in the non-VAP group (13.50+/-3.81 ng/mL) (P<0.05). There were significant differences in BALF IL-4 and IL-13 levels between 1 hr and 96 hrs in the VAP group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
BALF IL-4 and IL-13 levels increase in neonates with RDS and concurrent VAP. IL-4 and IL-13 may involve in the regulation of the inflammatory immune response.
Xia
Yao-Fang
YF
Department of Neonatology, Hebei Province Children's Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China.
Liu
Cui-Qing
CQ
Shi
Hui-Ju
HJ
Ma
Li
L
D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000032:analysis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*
D018793:Interleukin-13; D015847:Interleukin-4