Changes of Interferon-γ and Interleukin-4 Levels in Serum of Children with Bronchiolitis and Their Clinical Significances

Objective To explore the changes of interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-4(IL-4) and their correlation with the severity of bronchiolitis in children.Methods 1.IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 20 healthy children(healthy control group) and 54 children with bronchiolitis before treatment,after treatment and after 2 months of follow-up.2.Fifty-four cases of bronchiolitis based on dyspnea criteria were divided into mild group,moderate group and severe group,and the levels of IFN-γ,IL-4 in the 3 groups were compared.The levels of INF-γ and IL-4 in 20 healthy children were measured as controls.Results 1.The level of IFN-γ in children with bronchiolitis before treatment was significantly lower than that in healthy control group(P 0.01).The level of IFN-γ in children with bronchiolitis in post-treatment group was significantly higher than that in pre-treatment group,but still significantly lower than that in healthy control group(P0.01).The level of IL-4 in children with bronchiolitis in pre-treatment group was significantly higher than that in healthy control group(P0.01).The level of IL-4 in children with bronchiolitis in post-treatment group was significantly lower than that in pre-treatment group,but still significantly higher than that in healthy control group(P0.01).The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 after 2 months of follow-up were close to those in the healthy control group.2.The level of IFN-γ in mild group was significantly higher than that in moderate group,and in moderate group was significantly higher than that in severe group(Pa0.01).The le-vel of IL-4 in moderate group was significantly lower than that in severe group(P0.01).Conclusions Children with bronchiolitis showed decreased IFN-γ level and increased IL-4 level,so IFN-γ/IL-4 level was imbalanced,and which was correlated with the degree of severity of the illness.