Circulating levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and lymphokines among children with hemolytic uremic syndrome

Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coil (VTEC) cause hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The aim of this study was to compare t he circulating levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), T helper (T-H)1 (interferon [IFN]-gamma, interleukin [IL]-2), and T(H)2-assoc iated lymphokines (IL-4, IL-13) in children with uncomplicated Escherichia coil 0157:H7 HC and patients who developed HUS. Circulating levels of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-13 were undetectable, and those of IFN-gamma were low and com parable among groups. Concentrations of TGF-beta 1 were higher in children with uncomplicated 0157:H7 HC than among those who developed HUS (934 +/- 6 80 versus 514 +/- 497 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.04). The circulating level s of TGF-beta 1 were also higher among children who did not take antidiarrh eal agents (P < 0.008) and those who have been immediately discharged from the emergency room (P < 0.03), Our results did not show an imbalanced T(H)1 /T(H)2-associated lymphokine response during the development of HUS, Increa sed circulating levels of TGF-beta 1 in children with milder 0157:H7 or unc omplicated HC most likely reflect appropriate intestinal tissue repair mech anisms rather than a remote systemic endocrine effect on the kidneys, (C) 2 000 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.