Changes of levels of serum hydrogen sulfide and interleukin-6 in children with hand, foot and mouth disease

Objective To study the significance of level changes of serum hydrogen sulfide(H2S)and interleukin-6(IL-6) in children with hand, foot and mouth disease(HFMD). Methods Nity-two cases with HFMD were enrolled and divided into severe HFMD group(48 cases) and common HFMD group(44 cases). Forty-six healthy children were enrolled as healthy control group.The serum H2S and IL-6 were detected. Results Acute phase: compared to the healthy control group[H2S(55.76±7.80) μmol/L, IL-6(61.31±13.43) ng/L], the level of serum H2S significantly reduced and the level of IL-6 significantly increased in severe HFMD group[H2S(21.72±7.52) μmol/L; IL-6(131.33±17.82) ng/L] and common HFMD group[H2S(31.86±8.41) μmol/L; IL-6(95.48±15.07) ng/L](P<0.01), and there was significantly difference between the severe HFMD group and common HFMD group(P<0.01). Recovery phase: compared to the healthy control group, the serum H2S level[(34.54±13.21) μmol/L] was lower and IL-6[(92.73±15.25) ng/L]was higher in severe HFMD group(P<0.01). The serum H2S level was negatively correlated with IL-6 in severe HFMD group and common HFMD group(r=-0.31, P<0.01; r=-0.45, P<0.01). Conclusion The serum H2S and IL-6 participate in the pathological process of HFMD, and the level change can be used as one of indicators of early diagnosis. Key words: Hand, foot and mouth disease; Hydrogen sulfide; Interleukin-6,