Effect of Atopy on the IL-4,IL-12 and IFN-γ Levels in NPS of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Infancy

Objective To study the effect of Atopy on the changes of IL-4,IL-12 and IFN-γ levels in NPS of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy. Methods 49 infants with Bronchiolitis admitted from November 2008 to February 2009 were involved,with 30 cases in RSV positive group,19 cases in RSV negative group and 23 cases in control group.The RSV positive group was further divided into atopy positive group(18 cases) and atopy negative group(12 cases) according to clinical features.The levels of IL-4,IL-12 and IFN-γ in NPS of each group were detected by ELISA technique. Results The level of IL-4 was significantly higher in group of RSV Bronchiolitis at acute stage((7.0±4.2)ng/L)than RSV-negative Bronchiolitis group((4.9±2.1)ng/L)and control group((3.7±2.1)ng/L);However,the level of IFN-γ in the group of RSV Bronchiolitis at acute stage((135.3±80.7)ng/L)was significantly lower than the RSV-Bronchiolitis group((277.9±100.8)ng/L)and control group((252.7±80.2) ng/L)(P0.01);IL-12 levels in NPS was significantly higher in RSV-negative Bronchiolitis group((1214.5±871.3)ng/L)than RSV positive Bronchiolitis group((475.1±254.0)ng/L)and the control group((522.7±166.6)ng/L)(P0.01).IL-4 level was significantly higher in atopy positive RSV Bronchiolitis infected infants′ NPS((9.6±3.1)ng/L)than in atopy negative infants((3.1±1.5)ng/L)and the control group((3.7±1.5)ng/L)(P0.01).While the IL-12 level in atopy positive RSV Bronchiolitis((341.7±132.9)ng/L)was significantly lower(P0.05) than the RSV negative Bronchiolitis group((675.2±264.6)ng/L).IFN-γ level of atopy positive group((153.9±95.9)ng/L)showed no significantly difference(P0.05)compared with that of atopy negative group((107.4±39.3)ng/L)(P0.05). Conclusion The acute stage of RSV Bronchiolitis partially shows TH2-predominant response,clear increase of IL-4 level,decrease of IFN-γ level and increase of IL-4/IFN-γ rate in NPS.Local TH2-predominant response is even clearer among atopic infants infected with RSV.