Serum levels of IL-2, IL-4 in bronchopulmonary mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children

Aim of our study was to evaluate changes of IL-2, IL-4 in peripheral blood in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection of lower respiratory tract disease in children. Methods. The study included 33 children, aged 6 months - 7 years, with pneumonia and wheezing. Levels of Mycoplasma pneumoniae -specific antibodies (IgM, IgG) were determined in serum samples obtained from all 33 children that were tested by ELISA . The peripheral blood concentrations of IL-2, IL-4 were measured by ELISA. Results. 20 patients completed study group with Mycoplasma -positive infection (levels of specific IgM was 0,73±0,13, cut-off 0,65±0,02 and IgG was 1,19±0,13, cut-off 0,53±0,02) and 13 children completed control group Mycoplasma -negative infection (levels of specific IgM was 0,29±0,04, cut-off 0,66±0,05 and IgG was 0,26±0,04, cut-off 0,5±0,03). IL-2 levels in children with Mycoplasma -positive bronchopulmonary disease was 31,80±2,26 pg/ml and in Mycoplasma -negative group 39,27±3,17 pg/ml, IL-4 levels was 46,92±2,93 pg/ml versus 52,36±2,17pg/ ml, respectively. Levels of IL-2 in our study group had decreased in comparison with control group (p<0,05) and it can suggest an insufficiency of mechanisms of T-cell mediated immunity in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in childhood bronchopulmonary diseases. Conclusion. One of the main pathogenic mechanisms in pulmonary disease produced by Mycoplasma pneumonia e in acute phase in children is the imbalance of served disorders of immune response with significant decreasing levels of IL-2.