Abstract: | Four levels (types) of immune response, differing by expression of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-4, and gamma-IFN) and immunoglobulins IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and IgE) and by expression and time course of specific cell-mediated and humoral immune response, were detected in children with different clinical forms of mumps. Types 1 and 3 immune response are predominantly cell-mediated, while types 2 and 4 predominantly humoral during the acute phase of the disease. The cytokine and antigen-specific profiles of each type of immune response correlate with the severity of clinical course of mumps. |