Abstract

PICAGUA, E et al. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-a and interferon -g in patients with dengue. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2010, vol.8, n.2, pp.20-26. ISSN 1812-9528.

ABSTRACT Monocytes/macrophages are target cells for dengue virus, taking part in the activation of T lymphocytes, releasing proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interferon gamma (IFN-g). The objective of this study was to determine TNF-a and IFN-g in sera of dengue patients with IgM positive and negative who attended the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud from February to April 2007. An analytical study was performed in 163 sera of dengue patients, 143 IgM positive and 20 IgM negative, men and women with an mean age of 30 years and a range from 18 to 70 years. The IgM antibody for dengue and the serum levels of cytokines were performed by capture ELISA. Serum levels of IFN-g were detected in 73% (104/143) of the patients with dengue IgM positive, with values between 558 and higher than 2000 pg/ml, and in 27% (39/143) were below the cut-off value. A statistically significative difference was found when they were compared with dengue IgM negative sera (p=<0.005). TNF-a serum levels were detected in 24% (35/143) of the dengue IgM positive patients, 33 patients presented values between 45 and 176 pg/ml and 2 had values above 2000 pg/ml. No statistical significance was found when these values were compared with those of dengue IgM negative sera (p=0.26). IFN-g and TNF-a high levels could be considered prognostic markers for progression to hemorrhagic dengue. The potential therapeutic significance of these cytokines should be considered as they could help in the strategies to inhibit or induce appropriate cytokine profiles in response to dengue virus.

Keywords : dengue; TNF-a; IFN-g; dengue; TNF-a; IFN-g.

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