CYTOKINES IN ACUTE RHEUMATIC-FEVER

Plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta , IL-6, IL-8 and TNF alpha) were determined by ELISA in 27 patients wi th acute rheumatic fever (RF), 12 with only arthritis (RFA) and 15 wit h rheumatic heart disease (RHD), before, during and after treatment. A ltogether, significant increases in TNF alpha, IL-8 and IL-6 levels we re observed in the acute phase as compared to the data found during an d after treatment. No significant differences were observed for the ot her cytokines. Elevations of one or more of the inflammatory cytokines were observed in 9 of 12 patients with RFA, and 12 of 15 with RHD. In crease of TNF alpha (6/9) and IL-8 (5/9) levels were higher in RHD pat ients with cardiac failure. These cytokines were below the detection l imits on day 7 of treatment in all 22 patients, except in two, and in all 10 days after treatment. Conclusions These findings suggest that i nflammatory cytokines, as TNF alpha, IL-8 and IL-6, may play a pathoge nic role in rheumatic fever.