CYTOKINE PROFILES IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-INFECTED PATIENTS WITH CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS - NO LEUKOCYTOSIS DESPITE HIGH INTERLEUKIN-8 LEVELS

Cytokine levels were studied in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 16 ad ults with cryptococcal meningitis (CM). Low levels of tumor necrosis f actor (TNF)-alpha and interferon-gamma, high levels of interleukin (IL )-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8, and the presence of IL-10 were documented. T here were no significant differences in levels of TNF-alpha and interf eron-gamma for CM and control patients. Mean CSF levels of IL-1 beta ( 139.5 pg/mL), IL-6 (346 pg/mL), IL-8 (1160 pg/mL), and IL-10 (9.27 pg/ mL) were significantly (P < .01) elevated in CM patients compared with levels in control patients. Despite the high CSF levels of IL-8, mini mal leukocytosis was seen. Significant correlations between cryptococc al antigen titers and IL-10 levels (r = .8, P < .05), protein and cryp tococcal antigen titer (r = .9, P < .05), and protein and IL-10 levels (r = .8, P < .05) were found.