Nasopharyngeal acute phase cytokines in viral upper respiratory infection: impact on acute otitis media in children.
BACKGROUND
The role of acute phase cytokines generated in the nasopharynx during viral upper respiratory infection (URI) in subsequent development of acute otitis media (AOM) has not been examined.


METHODS
We studied 326 virus-positive URI episodes in 151 children aged 6-36 months. Nasopharyngeal secretions collected within 1 to 7 days of URI onset were studied for viruses by conventional and molecular techniques, and for concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNFalpha by multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Children were followed up for 28 days to document AOM complication.


RESULTS
IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNFalpha concentrations correlated positively with each other (P<0.001). IL-6 and TNFalpha concentrations were higher in males than in females (P=0.01 and 0.02). IL-6 and TNFalpha concentrations were inversely correlated with age (P=0.02 and 0.05). IL-6 concentrations correlated positively with duration of fever (P=0.006) and correlated negatively with the number of days of URI symptoms (P=0.026). Furthermore, IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher during adenovirus and influenza virus URIs as compared with enterovirus and rhinovirus URIs (P<0.01). IL-1beta concentrations were higher during URI episodes with AOM than those without AOM (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We found IL-6 nasopharyngeal secretions concentrations to be higher with adenovirus and influenza infection, and in children with systemic febrile response during URI. However, IL-1beta was found to play a more important role in the development of AOM after URI. Additional studies are needed to further define the role of acute phase cytokines in virus-induced AOM.
Patel
Janak A
JA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0371, USA.
Nair
Sangeeta
S
Revai
Krystal
K
Grady
James
J
Chonmaitree
Tasnee
T
D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines