Evaluation of serum interleukin-18 and interleukin-10 in patients with HIV-1 and hepatitis viruses co-infected subjects / 浙江大学学报·医学版

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the significance of cytokines in patients with HIV and hepatitis viruses co-infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum levels of IL-18 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HIV-RNA levels were measured in EDTA plasma by quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CD4(+) lymphocyte counts were determined by four-color Flow cytometry (FCM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of IL-18 were significantly higher in HIV-infected persons compared with those in controls (P<0.05). With HIV disease progression, IL-18 levels increased while Il-10 levels decreased. HCV patients showed lower levels of IL-18 and IL-10 than those of the co-infection group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Univariate analyses shows significant co-variables IL-10 in co-infection. Up-regulating IL-18 activity and/or down-regulating IL-10 may be a potential therapy to patients with HIV and hepatitis viruses co-infection.</p>