Rev Esp Quimioter 2018; 31(6): 542-545

Interleukin (IL) -1 β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor in patients with seasonal flu

JOSÉ M. RAMOS, MAR GARCÍA-NAVARRO, VICTORIA MORENO, PILAR GONZÁLEZ-DE-LA-ALEJA, ADELINA GIMENO-GASCÓN, ESPERANZA MERINO, JOAQUÍN PORTILLA

Introduction. The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the pathogenicity of seasonal flu is unknown.
Methods. We analyzed the profiles of these cytokines in 77 flu patients and 17 controls with non-flu respiratory infection, using molecular biology techniques (real-time polymerase chain reaction).
Results. Flu patients had lower monocyte counts (p=0.029) and a slightly lower median level of IL-6 (P=0.05) than the control group. Twenty-four flu patients (31.2%) had pneumonia; this group had higher C-reactive proteins (p=0.01) and monocyte levels (p=0.009). Pro-inflammatory cytokines levels did not rise in patients with pneumonia complicating seasonal influenza
Conclusion. IL-6 levels were lower in adults with influenza.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2018; 31(6): 542-545  [Full-text PDF]