ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the changes and pathogenic significance of serum interleukin-12p70 (IL-12), intefferon-γ,(IFN-γ) and IL-4 in the course of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS). Methods Twenty five eases were divided into mild group (14 eases) and severe group (11 cases) according to the severity of illness. Blood samples were collected in various stages(fever, hypotensian and oliguria,diuresis stage). Serum IL-12 and IFN-γ levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunoserbent assay(ELISA), IL-4 by radioimmunoassay (RIA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and platelet by automatic biochemical analyzer and blood analyzer. Results Serum IL-12 levels in mild and severe groups were significantly different during various stages of HFRS (F=5.765, P<0.01). The IL-12 level of both patient groups significantly increased(P<0.01) in fever[ (0.87±0.38), (1.08± 0.77)μg/L], hypotension and oliguria [ (0.77±0.21), (2.11±2.13)μg/L] ,and diuresis stage [ (1.42±1.10), (1.20±0.88)μg/L], compared with control group [(0.56±0.10)μg/L]. In various stages, IFN-γ levels of both case groups were respectively (8.04±13.05), (5.94±8.24), (15.95±18.05), (4.41±4.10), (1.09±1.24), (1.38±1.74), (1.12±1.26), (0.19±1.29)μg/L, and the difference was statistically significant compared with control [ (0.27±0.15)rig/L]. K,-4 levels did not change significantly in the stages(F=0.682, P0.05), while the ratios of IFN-γ and IL-4 contents in mild and severe cases were significantly higher than control [(0.36±0.26) μg/L] in fever[ (2.46±3.52), (16.92±22.77)p.g/L], hypotension and oliguria[(2.52±2.72), (1.77±2.06) μg/L],diuresis stage [(1.45±2.28), (2.32±3.98)μg/L], the difference had statically significant (P<0.05 or 0.01).The curve of IL-12 was similar to that of BUN, but was contrary to blood platelet count. Conclusions The elevated levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ, with the imbalance of Th1/Th2 might be the main cause of systemic inflammatoryresponse and involved in the pathogenesis of HFRS.