Serum sIL-2R,TNF-α and IFN-γ in alveolar echinococcosis

AIM:To approach the relationship between alveolarechinococcosis (AE) pathology and level of sIL-2R,TNF-αand IFN-γ in sera and the significance of cytokines indevelopment of AE.METHODS:After 23 patients with AE were confirmed byELISA and ultrasound,their sera were collected and theconcentrations of sIL-2R,TNF-α and IFN-γ were detectedby double antibody sandwich.Twelve healthy adults servedas controls.According to the status of livers of AE patients byultrasound scanning,they were divided into 4 groups:P2,P3,P4groups and C group (control).Average of concentrationsof sIL-2R,TNF-α and IFN-γin homologous group was statisticallyanalyzed by both ANOV and Newman-Keuls,respectively.RESULTS:The mean of sIL-2R in P2group was 97±29,P3:226±80,P4:194±23 and control group (111±30)×10~3 u/L(P<0.01).The mean of TNF-α in P2group was 1.12±0.20,P3:3.67±1.96,P4:1.30±0.25 and control group 0.40±0.19 μg/L(P<0.01).The mean of IFN-γ in P2group was 360±20,P3:486±15,P4:259±19 and control group:16±2 ng/L (P<0.01).Judged by ANOV and Newman-Keuls,the mean concentrationsof sIL-2R,TNF-α and IFN-γ had a significant differenceamong groups.Except for P2group,the mean sIL-2R betweenother groups of AE patients had a significant difference(P<0.05).The mean of TNF-α concentration in P3groupwas the highest (P<0.01).The mean of IFN-γ concentrationin all patients was higher than that in control group (P<0.01),but there was no difference between AE groups (P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Low sIL-2R level indicates an early stage ofAE or stable status,per contra,a progression stage.Higherlevel of TNF-α might be related to the lesion of liver.Therote of single IFN-γ is limited in immunological defenseagainst AE and it can not fully block pathological progression.