INTERLEUKIN-4, SOLUBLE CD23 AND INTERFERON-GAMMA LEVELS IN SERUM DURING THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF LIFE

Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-gamma and soluble CD23 (sCD23) were analysed in a prospective study of 64 infants monit ored from birth to 18 months of age. The levels were low at birth and then increased, reaching a peak at either 6 or 9 months and then decre ased up to 18 months of age. The children who developed atopic disease during the first 18 months of life had significantly higher IL-4 medi an levels than those who did not. No relationship was seen between the levels of sCD23 and IFN-gamma and allergy. Thus, the IL-4 levels in s erum, but not sCD23 and IFN-gamma, were associated with allergic disea se in infancy. Elevated levels were recorded before the onset of clini cal symptoms, indicating that atopic disease is associated with a prim ary deviation of T cell function.