INTERLEUKIN-10 AND SOLUBLE TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR RECEPTORS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF CHILDREN WITH BACTERIAL-MENINGITIS

The antiinflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-10 and soluble tumor n ecrosis factor (TNF) receptors p55 (sTNFR-55) and sTNFR-75 in cerebros pinal fluid (CSF) from 37 children with bacterial meningitis were stud ied, CSF concentrations of IL-10, sTNFR-55, and sTNFR-75 and of the pr oinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 were markedly elevat ed and were, with the exception of the sTNFRs, significantly higher in CSF than in serum, CSF concentrations of sTNFR-55 and sTNFR-75 were o nly associated positively with IL-10 levels, CSF glucose levels correl ated highly with levels of IL-10, sTNFR-55, and sTNFR-75 and weakly wi th TNF-alpha and IL-6, Cytokine levels in CSF decreased rapidly, while sTNFR levels remained elevated for at least 24 h.