Serum levels of interleukin’s in children with acute M. Pneumoniae bronhoobstructive diseases

Abstract

Background. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important etiological agent responsible for children’s respiratory tract diseases. The role of cytokines in mycoplasma infections has gained much attention. IL-2 is normally produced by T cells during an immune response. Aim of our study was to evaluate changes of IL-2, IL-4 in peripheral blood in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronhoobstructive diseases. Methods. The study included 33 children, aged 6 months - 7 years, with pneumonia and wheezing for evaluation of changes of IL-2, IL-4 in peripheral blood in acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Levels of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-specific antibodies (IgM, IgG), the peripheral blood concentrations of IL-2, IL-4 were determined in serum samples obtained at enrollment from all 33 children that were tested by ELISA. Results. There were two study visits: first in admission and second – after 1 month. 20 patients completed study group with Mycoplasma-positive infection and 13 children completed control group - Mycoplasma-negative infection. IL-2 levels in children with Mycoplasma-positive bronchopulmonary disease was 31,80±2,26 pg/ml and in Mycoplasma-negative group 39,27±3,17 pg/ml, IL-4 levels was 46,92±2,93 pg/ml versus 52,36±2,17pg/ml, respectively. After 1 month in mycoplasma-positive group levels of IL-2 had increased (39,68±6,84pg/ml). No significant changes were observed in values of IL-4 in the period of one month after the admission (47,75±2,19 pg/ml). Conclusion. There was an imbalance of served disorders of immune response with significant decreasing levels of IL-2 and to a lesser extent of IL-4 in children with M.pneumoniae infection at the acute phase in our study, suggesting necessity of administration of therapeutic program for control of infectious inflammatory process in Mycoplasmal bronhoobstructive diseases.