PRODUCTION OF CYTOKINES IN PATIENTS INFECTED BY HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

T helper type 1 (Th 1) cytokines play an important role in antiviral d efence. The purpose of this study was to quantify by ELISA IL2, solubl e receptor of IL2 (IL2Rs), IFN gamma TNF beta, IL4, IL6 and IL10 level s in the sera of 134 HCV-positive patients, 69 of whom were coinfected with HIV, and in 54 HIV-HCV-negative patients. The mean IL2Rs and IFN serum levels were much higher in patients with anti-HCV than in the c ontrol group, whereas the mean IL4 and IL6 levels were lower in patien ts infected with HCV. There were no significant differences in cytokin e levels between patients with and without HIV. There were significant ly less patients with HCV than controls with IFN gamma levels under cu t-off, and significantly more patients with HCV with IL4 levels under cut-off. Although serum level of cytokines must be interpreted with ca ution, the results suggest that Th1 response is enhanced in HCV infect ion. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.