Serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gama in infants with and without dengue

Abstract

This study compared the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ, in children under 1 year of age with and without dengue. Sera were collected from a total of 41 children living in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia (27 patients with dengue and 14 controls). The results showed higher cytokine levels in children with dengue than without dengue, with statistically significant differences for IL-6 and IFN-γ. No statistically significant differences were found between clinical forms, although IL-6 and IFN-γ levels were higher in dengue fever cases than in dengue hemorrhagic fever cases. On the other hand, TNF-α levels were higher in dengue hemorrhagic fever than in dengue fever. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in secondary infection than in primary infection, although IFN-γ levels were higher in primary infection. These results suggest that IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ are involved in dengue infection independently of the clinical form.