Abstract
To determine if iron chelation therapy alters immune responses in children with cerebral malaria, we retrospectively measured mean serum levels of neopterin, interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-6 in children who received desferrioxamine B or placebo for three days in addition to quinine-based therapy. Mean levels of neopterin, IL-4, and IL-6 were elevated above the expected normal range on admission. Neopterin correlated significantly with the degree of anemia, IL-4 with the duration of fever prior to admission, and IL-6 with parasite density. Serial measurements of cytokines and neopterin were performed over four days in 39 children, 21 randomized to receive desferrioxamine B and 18 to receive placebo. Mean concentrations of neopterin did not change significantly in either group while levels of IL-4 increased significantly in the placebo group (P = 0.04) but remained unchanged in the desferrioxamine B group. Interleukin-6 concentrations decreased markedly in both groups (P < 0.025). Stable IL-4 levels in children given desferrioxamine B may represent an inhibition of the T helper lymphocyte-2 (TH-2) response resulting from a strengthened TH-1 response associated with iron chelation therapy. Any effect of iron chelation on immunity in the setting of severe malaria will have to be confirmed in future prospective investigations.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 164-168 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - Feb 1996 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Cite this
Serum neopterin, interleukin-4, and interleukin-6 concentrations in cerebral malaria patients and the effect of iron chelation therapy. / Thuma, Philip E; Weiss, Gunter; Herold, Manfred; Gordeuk, Victor R.
In: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol. 54, No. 2, 02.1996, p. 164-168.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Serum neopterin, interleukin-4, and interleukin-6 concentrations in cerebral malaria patients and the effect of iron chelation therapy
AU - Thuma, Philip E
AU - Weiss, Gunter
AU - Herold, Manfred
AU - Gordeuk, Victor R.
PY - 1996/2
Y1 - 1996/2
N2 - To determine if iron chelation therapy alters immune responses in children with cerebral malaria, we retrospectively measured mean serum levels of neopterin, interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-6 in children who received desferrioxamine B or placebo for three days in addition to quinine-based therapy. Mean levels of neopterin, IL-4, and IL-6 were elevated above the expected normal range on admission. Neopterin correlated significantly with the degree of anemia, IL-4 with the duration of fever prior to admission, and IL-6 with parasite density. Serial measurements of cytokines and neopterin were performed over four days in 39 children, 21 randomized to receive desferrioxamine B and 18 to receive placebo. Mean concentrations of neopterin did not change significantly in either group while levels of IL-4 increased significantly in the placebo group (P = 0.04) but remained unchanged in the desferrioxamine B group. Interleukin-6 concentrations decreased markedly in both groups (P < 0.025). Stable IL-4 levels in children given desferrioxamine B may represent an inhibition of the T helper lymphocyte-2 (TH-2) response resulting from a strengthened TH-1 response associated with iron chelation therapy. Any effect of iron chelation on immunity in the setting of severe malaria will have to be confirmed in future prospective investigations.
AB - To determine if iron chelation therapy alters immune responses in children with cerebral malaria, we retrospectively measured mean serum levels of neopterin, interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-6 in children who received desferrioxamine B or placebo for three days in addition to quinine-based therapy. Mean levels of neopterin, IL-4, and IL-6 were elevated above the expected normal range on admission. Neopterin correlated significantly with the degree of anemia, IL-4 with the duration of fever prior to admission, and IL-6 with parasite density. Serial measurements of cytokines and neopterin were performed over four days in 39 children, 21 randomized to receive desferrioxamine B and 18 to receive placebo. Mean concentrations of neopterin did not change significantly in either group while levels of IL-4 increased significantly in the placebo group (P = 0.04) but remained unchanged in the desferrioxamine B group. Interleukin-6 concentrations decreased markedly in both groups (P < 0.025). Stable IL-4 levels in children given desferrioxamine B may represent an inhibition of the T helper lymphocyte-2 (TH-2) response resulting from a strengthened TH-1 response associated with iron chelation therapy. Any effect of iron chelation on immunity in the setting of severe malaria will have to be confirmed in future prospective investigations.
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M3 - Article
VL - 54
SP - 164
EP - 168
JO - American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
JF - American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
SN - 0002-9637
IS - 2
ER -