TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR, INTERLEUKIN-6 AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN PATIENTS WITH LOUSE-BORNE RELAPSING FEVER IN ETHIOPIA

The serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin- 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were studied in 25 patients with louse-borne relapsing fever, to evaluate their association with the l evel of bacteraemia, anti-borrelia chemotherapy and the presence of a Jarish-Herxheimer reaction (JHR). Although there was an association be tween the level of bacteraemia and the development of JHR and complica tions during treatment, TNF, IL-6 and CRP concentrations were not asso ciated with the JHR. TNF concentrations increased after the administra tion of antibiotics and remained high for 24 h. IL-6 was elevated on a dmission but soon decreased. CRP was high on admission and remained so throughout the illness. The observed elevations in TNF, IL-6 and CRP may be associated more with the administration of antibiotics than wit h the presence of a JHR.