INFLAMMATORY CELLS AND
CYTOKINES FROM NASOPHARYNGEAL SECRETIONS (NPS) IN INFANTS WITH RESPIRATORY
SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) INFECTION
Liu GR, Shen KL, Jiang ZF, Yao DX
Beijing
Children’s Hospital Affiliated of Capital University of Medical Sciences,
Beijing, China
Objective: To investigate the features of inflammatory cells
and local cytokines in airway secretions of the infants with RSV infection.
Methods: Thirty-six infants with
acute RSV infections confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence assay and ten
infants who underwent surgical operations (control) were enrolled. Total
polymorphonuclear (PMN) and differential cell counts were performed in NPS
obtained from all the infants. The concentrations of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in
NPS were measured by a sandwich ELISA.
Results: The total PMN counts in NPS of RSV+ subjects [（0.665±0.130）×106/mL] were significantly higher than
those of controls [(0.078±0.028)×106/mL]
(P<0.01). And neutrophils were the majority of RSV+ subjects (82.50±2.24%) and were significantly increased than those
in control’s NPS (61.33±6.15%) (P<0.01). Eosinophil was only
found in one smear of RSV+ subject. Ratios of IFN-γto IL-4 were significantly higher in RSV+
subjects(median 43.50) in comparison with those in controls (median 13.10)(P=0.012).
Conclusion: Inflammatory reactions in airways of infants with
acute RSV infection are mainly caused by neutrophils, while eosinophils
present in low numbers. An imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines exists in
subjects with acute RSV infection, presented by predominant Th1 cell effect
(overproduction of IFN-γ).