Interleukin (IL) -1 β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor in patients with seasonal flu

• Published in: Revista española de quimioterapia Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 542 - 545
• Main Authors: Ramos, J M, García-Navarro, M, Moreno, V, González-de-la-Aleja, P, Gimeno-Gascón, A, Merino, E, Portilla, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain Sociedad Española de Quimioterapia 01-12-2018
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brief Report; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Female; Humans; Influenza, Human - blood; Influenza, Human - complications; Interleukin-1beta - blood; Interleukin-6 - blood; Leukocyte Count; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia - blood; Pneumonia - complications; Pneumonia - etiology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood
• ISSN: 0214-3429; 1988-9518

The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the pathogenicity of seasonal flu is unknown.
We analyzed the profiles of these cytokines in 77 flu patients and 17 controls with non-flu respiratory infection, using molecular biology techniques (real-time polymerase chain reaction).
Flu patients had lower monocyte counts (p=0.029) and a slightly lower median level of IL-6 (P=0.05) than the control group. Twenty-four flu patients (31.2%) had pneumonia; this group had higher C-reactive proteins (p=0.01) and monocyte levels (p=0.009). Pro-inflammatory cytokines levels did not rise in patients with pneumonia complicating seasonal influenza.
IL-6 levels were lower in adults with influenza.