Cytokine levels in Chandipura virus associated encephalopathy in children

An association of Chandipura (CHP) virus with an explosive outbreak of encephalitis in children from India affecting 349 children with 55% mortality was recently reported. To understand the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of CHP infection, 14 paediatric encephalitis cases admitted to a tertiary care hospital and 5 age-matched apparently healthy control children were studied. At the time of sampling, post onset of disease was <= 2 d (Group A, n=4) and >2 d (Group B, n=10). Concentrations of IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in mitogen stimulated PBMC supernatants of patients and controls were assessed by ELISA. IL-2 levels in Group A and B were significantly higher compared with controls (28.4 +/- 21.9 vs <7.8, p=0.01, 269.4 +/- 311.0. vs <7.8, p=0.01). IFN-gamma levels were significantly elevated in both the groups compared with controls (394.4 +/- 107.7 vs 13.9 +/- 20.9, p=0.01, 339.5 +/- 244.9 vs 13.9 +/- 20.9, p=0.01). TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in Group B compared with controls (573.1 +/- 472.5 vs 113.4 +/- 148.3, p=0.01, 486.2 +/- 145.7 vs 113.8 +/- 82.4, p=0.003). Cytokine levels were not significantly different in Groups A and B.