Significance of detecting interleukin-4 and interferon-γ in sputum induction of children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Objective To explore the significance of interleukin 4(IL-4)and interferon γ(IFN-γ )changesin sputum induction of children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP).Methods Sixty eight children with MPP were selected.According to pathological degrees,they were divided into mild group(n=43)and severe group(n=25),meanwhile,30 healthy children were selected as control group.Double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(DAS ELISA)was applied to detect the contents of IL-4 and IFN-γ in sputum induction of 3groups.The contents of IL-4 and IFN-γ in sputum in duction of children at different stages and of control group were compared.Results IL-4 content and IL-4/IFN-γ ratio in sputum induction of children at acute stage were significantly higher than those at recovery stage and in the control group,with significant difference.Among the children at acute stage,IL-4 content and IL-4/IFN-γ ratio in mild group were markedly lower than in severe group,and the former apparently higher than in mild group at recovery stage.IL-4 content and IL-4/IFN-γ ratio in severe group at acute stage were distinctly higher than at recovery stage,and the difference showed statistical significance.Conclusion Th1/Th2 disturbance exists in children with MPP,with Th2 reaction as dominance.IL-4 and IFN-γ involve in immune state change in children with MPP,and play a certain role in MPP pathogenesis.