Cytokines and zinc levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of children with febrile seizures and encephalitis

ABSTRACT

The present study was proposed in an attempt to understand the role of serum and cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] levels of proinflammatory cytokines [TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6] and zinc in children with febrile convulsions and cases with encephalitis in comparison with normal ranges. Fifty patients were enrolled in the study, 15 with febrile convulsions, 15 patients with acute encephalitis and a control group of 20 patients with febrile illness but no convulsions. Serum and CSF levels of TNF-alpha, IL1-Beta and IL-6 were significantly higher in cases with encephalitis than in cases with febrile convulsions and control. There were no significant differences between cases with febrile convulsions and controls. On comparing cases with febrile convulsions and cases with encephalitis, serum and CSF levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in cases with encephalitis. It was also found that children with febrile convulsions had decreased serum and CSF levels of zinc much less than in both cases with encephalitis and control groups. The correlation between serum and CSF levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly positive for cases with febrile convulsions and encephalitis, while there was no correlation between serum and CSF zinc levels in both groups