Tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-2, and interferon-gamma in adult varicella

✍ Scribed by CDR Mark R. Wallace; Ingrid Woelfl; William A. Bowler; Patrick E. Olson; Nancy B. Murray; Stephanie K. Brodine; Edward C. Oldfield III; Ann M. Arvin

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 317 KB
• Volume: 43
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0146-6615
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.1890430113

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Adult varicella can be a severe illness complicated by pneumonia, encephalitis, or prolonged fever. This study measured levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐alpha, interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), and interferon gamma (IFN‐G) in a consecutive group of 31 adult varicella patients presenting within 24 hours of rash onset. All cytokines were assayed using an ELISA technique. TNF‐alpha was detectable in 71% of patients with a mean level of 52 pg/ml. IL‐2 was detectable in 29% with a mean level of 1040 pg/ml. IFN‐gamma was detectable in only 9%. There was no correlation between TNF, IL‐2, or IFN‐G level and clinical severity as determined by duration and severity of cutaneous findings, duration of fever, frequency of hepatitis, or thrombocytopenia. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.