DYNAMICS OF FEVER AND THE CYTOKINE NETWORK IN SYSTEMIC JUVENILE ARTHRITIS

Aim of the study: To determine the levels of the inflammatory cytokine s IL1 alpha, IL1 beta, TNF alpha, IL6, IL8 and of their inhibitors TNF -sR55, TNF-s R75 and IL1-Ra during temperature elevation in systemic j uvenile chronic arthritis. Methods: Fifty-six serum samples were colle cted at regular intervals from seven children during 8 fever cycles. C ytokine levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Resul ts: Levels of IL1 alpha, IL1 beta, TNF alpha and IL8 showed no variati ons. In contrast, IL6 and IL1-Ra levels paralleled the fever spikes. T NF-sR75 levels were also correlated with the fever. Conclusion: Fever dynamics in systemic juvenile chronic arthritis may be partly related to cytokine variations.