Interleukin 1-β, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and interleukin 18 in children with acute spontaneous urticaria.
Very little is known about the role of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in urticaria.


METHODS
Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and IL-18 were measured in 56 children with urticaria and in 41 healthy subjects.


RESULTS
Serum IL-1β did not differ between children with acute urticaria and controls. Children with single episode of urticaria had higher levels of IL-1RA and IL-18 than healthy subjects. In children with single episode of urticaria, level of IL-1RA correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and IL-1β levels. In subjects with recurrence of urticaria IL-1RA was positively correlated with WBC and D-dimer levels. No correlation of cytokine levels and urticaria severity scores (UAS) in all children with urticaria was observed. In children with single episode of urticaria UAS correlated with CRP level. In the group with single episode of urticaria and in children with symptoms of upper respiratory infection, IL-1RA and IL-18 levels were higher than in controls. The former was higher than in noninfected children with urticaria. In conclusion, this preliminary study documents that serum IL-1RA and IL-18 levels are increased in some children with acute urticaria. However further studies are necessary to define a pathogenic role of IL-1β, IL-1RA, and IL-18 in urticaria.
Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Silesia, Ulica 3-go Maja 13-15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
E
E
Machura
Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Silesia, Ulica 3-go Maja 13-15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
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M
Szczepańska
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, Ulica Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
B
B
Mazur
Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Silesia, Ulica 3-go Maja 13-15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
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M
Barć-Czarnecka
Chair and Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology, Medical University of Silesia, Ulica M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
A
A
Kasperska-Zając
D000293:Adolescent; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D014581:Urticaria / Q000097:blood*
D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein