Evaluation of The Role Of IL-6 And IFN-γ In the Immune Responses and Pathophysiology of Enteroviral Infections

Abstract

Enteroviral infections are responsible for a considerable global viral burden, but little is known how they behave immunologically in Iraq and the distribution of the virus subtypes. Various cytokines, especially interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), were critically involved in the coordination of antiviral and inflammatory responses against enteroviral disease. The aims of the present study were to determine serum levels of IL-6 and IFN-γ in VEC patients and then compare these data with those from healthy controls, to analyse differences between subtypes of the virus and to assess the correlations between these two cytokines. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study population This case control (cross sectional) study was carried out at Al-Sadr Medical City- Najaf and the Central Laboratory-Hilla, from October 2014 to February 2015 on 42 enterovirus positive patients and 58 healthy controls. Viral RNA detection and typing identified two main strains, EV-A71(Enterovirus A71) and CVB (Coxsackievirus B). ELISA measured the levels of cytokines in serum. Both IL-6 and IFN-γ were increased in patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). Cytokine levels were increased in EV-A71 positive patients as compared to those infected with CVB (p < 0.05). Moderate positive correlation was determined between IL-6 and IFN-γ levels (r = 0.56, p = 0.001). This study emphasizes the exaggerated immune response associated with enterovirus infection in Iraq and discovers differences unique to each subtype which could affect disease severity and immunopathogenesis.

Keywords:

Seasonal influenza, cytokine response, IL-6 and IL-17, H3N2

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