Age-related aspects of cytokine profile of immune response in children with pertussis

Abstract

<jats:p>The article presents a comparative analysis of the cytokine network in 161 patients with pertussis under the age of 1 year and in 180 patients over the age of 1 year. The studies revealed lower production of immunoregulatory cytokines (interferon-γ and interleukin-2) in patients under the age of 1 year at all stages of the disease and with all variants of pertussis (both mono- and mixed infections). The researchers revealed the relationship between the level of interferon-γ production and the severity of pertussis. They revealed age differences in the interferon-8 production in patients with mixed infection, which can determine clinical features and cause bronchopulmonary complications. The authors demonstrated the features of the dynamics of spontaneous and induced production of interleukin-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-4, interleukin-10) in children under the age of 1 year; these features can be considered as immunological markers determining the imperfection of the humoral response in patients with pertussis in this age group.</jats:p>