Serum sIL-2R, TNF-α and IFN-γ in alveolar echinococcosis

AIM: To approach the relationship between alveolar echinococcosis (AE) pathology and level of sIL-2R,TNF-αand IFN-γ in sera and the significance of cytokines in development of AE.METHODS: After 23 patients with AE were confirmed by ELISA and ultrasound, their sera were collected and the concentrations of sIL-2R,TNF-α and IFN-γ were detected by double antibody sandwich. Twelve healthy adults served as controls. According to the status of livers of AE patients by ultrasound scanning, they were divided into 4 groups: P2,P3, P4 groups and C group (control). Average of concentrations of sIL-2R, TNF-α and IFN-yin homologous group was statistically analyzed by both ANOV and Newman-Keuls, respectively.RESULTS: The mean of sIL-2R in P2 group was 97±29, P3:226±80, P4:194±23 and control group (111±30)x103 u/L(P<0.01). The mean of TNF-α in P2 group was 1.12±0.20, P3:3.67±1.96, P4: 1.30±0.25 and control group 0.40±0.19 μg/L(P<0.01). The mean of IFN-y in P2 group was 360±20, P3:486±15, P4: 259±19 and control group: 16±2 ng/L (P<0.01).Judged by ANOV and Newman-Keuls, the mean concentrations of sIL-2R, TNF-α and IFN-y had a significant difference among groups. Except for P2group, the mean sIL-2R between other groups of AE patients had a significant difference (P<0.05). The mean of TNF-α concentration in P3 group was the highest (P<0.01). The mean of IFN-y concentration in all patients was higher than that in control group (P<0.01),but there was no difference between AE groups (P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Low sIL-2R level indicates an early stage of AE or stable status, per contra, a progression stage. Higher level of TNF-α might be related to the lesion of liver. The role of single IFN-y is limited in immunological defense against AE and it can not fully block pathological progression.