Serum interferon-gamma, interleukin-4, and interleukin-6 in infants with adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infection

BACKGROUND: To characterize adenoviral (ADV) infection, the clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and serum cytokine concentrations were evaluated in ADV patients and compared with those in patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. METHODS: A total of 63 patients who had been diagnosed with ADV infections or RSV on an antigen detection test were enrolled in the present study between December 2002 and March 2004. Forty patients had RSV infection and 23 patients had ADV infection. Serum cytokine (interleukin [IL]-4,6 and interferon [IFN]-gamma) concentrations were analyzed. Concentration of IL-6 in both infection groups was analyzed regardless of whether the patients had been given steroids (dexamethaxone or prednisolone). In addition, IL-6 levels were measured on day 1 and 4 of hospitalization. RESULTS: A strong inflammatory response was observed in patients with ADV infection. Serum IL-6 levels in patients with ADV infection on day 4 of hospitalization were significantly higher than those in patients without steroids treatment or in patients with RSV infection. IL-4, and IFN-gamma were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Patients with ADV infections who were given steroids had a temporary increase of IL-6, which might have indicated the development of a severe clinical course if not been administered.