Cytokine levels in Chandipura virus associated encephalopathy in children

Abstract

An association of Chandipura (CHP) virus with an explosive outbreak of encephalitis in children from India affecting 349 children with 55% mortality was recently reported. To understand the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of CHP infection, 14 paediatric encephalitis cases admitted to a tertiary care hospital and 5 age-matched apparently healthy control children were studied. At the time of sampling, post onset of disease was ≤2 d (Group A, n=4) and > 2 d (Group B, n=10). Concentrations of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6 in mitogen stimulated PBMC supernatants of patients and controls were assessed by ELISA. IL-2 levels in Group A and B were significantly higher compared with controls (28.4±21.9 vs < 7.8, p=0.01, 269.4±311.0.vs < 7.8, p=0.01). IFN-γ levels were significantly elevated in both the groups compared with controls (394.4±107.7 vs 13.9±20.9, p=0.01, 339.5±244.9 vs 13.9±20.9, p=0.01). TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in Group B compared with controls (573.1±472.5 vs 113.4.±148.3, p=0.01, 486.2±145.7 vs 113.8±82.4, p=0.003). Cytokine levels were not significantly different in Groups A and B.