Nasopharyngeal Acute Phase Cytokines in Viral Upper Respiratory Infection

Abstract

Background The role of acute phase cytokines generated in the nasopharynx during viral upper respiratory infection (URI) in subsequent development of acute otitis media (AOM) has not been examined. Methods We studied 326 virus-positive URI episodes in 151 children of age 6–36 mos. Nasopharyngeal secretions (NPS) collected within 1–7 days of URI onset were studied for viruses by conventional and molecular techniques, and for concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα by multiplex ELISA. Children were followed for 28 days to document AOM complication. Results IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα concentrations correlated positively with each other (P<0.001). IL-6 and TNFα concentrations were higher in males than females (P = 0.01 and 0.02). IL-6 and TNFα concentrations were inversely correlated with age (P = 0.02 and 0.05). IL-6 concentrations correlated positively with duration of fever (P = 0.006) and correlated negatively with the number of days of URI symptoms (P = 0.026). Furthermore, IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher during adenovirus and influenza virus URIs as compared with enterovirus and rhinovirus URIs (P<0.01). IL-1β concentrations were higher during URI episodes with AOM than those without AOM (P < 0.001). Conclusions We found IL-6 NPS concentrations to be higher with adenovirus and influenza infection, and in children with systemic febrile response during URI. However, IL-1β was found to play a more important role in the development of AOM following URI. Additional studies are needed to further define the role of acute phase cytokines in virus-induced AOM.

Inflammation in the Middle Ear of Children With Recurrent or Chronic Otitis Media Is Associated With Bacterial Load

“…By relating the presence of pathogens to the cytokine response in the MEF of a cohort of patients with rAOM and chronic OM, we show that the detection of bacteria by qRT-PCR is directly associated with an increase in inflammatory cytokines. In contrast to previous observations describing an association between cytokine response profiles and virus-induced AOM, 21,22 our data suggest that the MEF cytokine response is not significantly different when viruses are detected. These data suggest a more indirect role for virus infections in the inflammatory response, in particular for RV, during chronic OM.…”

Polymorphisms of Immunity Genes and Susceptibility to Otitis Media in Children

“…High levels of certain cytokines in respiratory secretions have been associated with the severity of respiratory disease [5]–[8]. We have also shown that high IL-1β levels in the nasopharynx are associated with the risk for acute OM during URI episode [9]. As single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytokine genes can modulate the production of respective cytokines, it is likely that these SNPs affect the risk for viral URI and OM.…”

Polymicrobial Interactions: Impact on Pathogenesis and Human Disease

“…In fact, experimental human challenge with influenza A virus leads to increases in the isolation of S. pneumoniae and S. aureus from the nasopharynges. Also, viral preinfection has been correlated with OM in children (160,214).…”