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.
Description:
Departament of Pediatrics, State Medical and Pharmaceutical University “Nicolai Testimitanu”, Republic of Moldova, Laboratory of Immunology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Care