title: Tick-borne encephalitis is associated with low levels of interleukin-10 in cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is associated with higher morbidity and induces a stronger intrathecal immune activation than most other viral induced meningo-encephalitis. The aim of this study was to investigate cytokine concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in relation to aetiology and clinical course. Cytokines were analysed by Enzyme-linked Immuno Assay (ELISA) from 44 patients with TBE and from 36 patients with aseptic meningo-encephalitis of other aetiology (non-TBE). Significantly increased CSF levels of Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and soluble CD8 receptor (sCD8) were detected in both cohorts. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α showed low levels or was not detected in CSF in any group in the acute stage. However, the CSF levels of IL-10 were significantly lower in TBE than in non-TBE cases 0-6 days after onset of encephalitis. The TBE patients with encephalitis had significantly lower IL-10 CSF levels later in the clinical course (day 7-18) than TBE patients with meningeal disease. Increased IFN-γ production, but low IL-10 secretion, may be of pathophysiological significance in TBE.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haglund
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lindquist
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forsgren
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Birger
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sköldenberg