Assessment of cytokine and humoral status children with primary Epstein-Barr viral infection, recurrent respiratory infections and adenoviral infection

Aim of study. To assess the humoral and cytokine status in children with infectious mononucleosis (induced by Epstein-Barr virus), recurrent respiratory infections and adenoviral infection. Material and methods. Indices of humoral (IgА, IgМ and IgG immunoglobulins) and cytokine (IFN-α and IFN-γ interferons, IL-1β and IL-6 interleukins) immunity were evaluated in 93 children with infectious mononucleosis (induced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)), 167 children with recurrent respiratory infections of the upper respiratory tract (RRI) and 76 children with adenoviral infection (AI) aged 1 to 18 years as well as 90 children of the same age without diseases associated with lymphoproliferative syndrome and with no medical illnesses exacerbating at the moment of study. Results. A decrease in virus resistance of children with viral infections combined with the lymphoproliferative syndrome was manifested by a 1.5 to 2-fold decrease of IFN-α and IFN-γ. Signifi cantly elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-6 anti-infl ammatory interleukins in children with viral infections combined with the lymphoproliferative syndrome attested to severe progression of the pathological process, predominantly in infectious mononucleosis (induced by EpsteinBarr virus). Results of analysis of cytokines in peripheral blood during infectious diseases may be considered as additional laboratory criteria for differential diagnosis of diseases accompanied by the lymphoproliferative syndrome. Conclusion. While interferons suppress viral replication, investigation of the cytokine status of children with infectious mononucleosis (induced by EpsteinBarr virus), recurrent respiratory infections and adenoviral infection is especially relevant for practical healthcare.