P004 Determination of the cytokines and chemokines level in the serum and csf of JE and non-JE viral encephalitis cases

Abstract

Introduction Acute encephalitis syndrome cases with multiple aetiologies are occurring every year in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Japanese encephalitis is the leading cause of the viral encephalitis with known aetiology, however majority of them are unknown. During viral infection release of cytokines and chemokines by host immune cells play an important role in inhibition of virus. The difference in cytokine response may be one of the mechanisms accounting for different severities among different viral infections of the central nervous system. The present study determines the cytokines and chemokines level in the serum and CSF of JE and non-JE viral encephalitis cases and compare its significance between the group. Methods The study was conducted on 45 AES patients. Out of 45, twelve were JE patients as determined by JE IgM capture ELISA in CSF. Rest 33 were AES cases with unknown etiology. CSF and serum samples from the patients were collected and immediately stored at −80 °C. The levels of cytokines TNF- α , IFN- γ , IL-10 and chemokines IP-10, and RANTES in the CSF and serum samples were analyzed by use of the Duo ELISA kit (R&D Systems) as per the manufacturers’ instructions. Differences of cytokine level between groups (JE and non-JE) were examined by Mann–Whitney U test. P Results Serum and CSF levels of the TNF- α and RANTES in both groups were high but had no significant difference in the rise of the cytokines level ( P > 0.05). The serum and CSF level of IFN- γ , IL-10 and IP-10 were significantly higher in Non JE patients than in JE patients ( P α level was higher than in serum. RANTES level was higher in both the serum and CSF of the JE and non-JE group but had no significant difference. Conclusion Higher level of TNF- α in CSF of JE patient shows the increase in severity of neuronal damage in the JE cases. Increased level of RANTES in both the group reflects the activation and recruitment of the immune cells in response to viral infections. Significant increase in the IFN-Y and IP-10 level in the non-JE group shows the interferon mediated protective immune response in the non-JE encephalitis cases. Significantly increased level of IL-10 in non-JE group could be related with the Th-2 mediated protective immune response which may contribute in lessen the severity and enhance the survival of non-JE encephalitis patients. The present study helps in understanding the differential immune-response by the host immune cells against the JE and non-JE encephalitis causing viruses.