Cytokine and chemokine levels in patients infected with the novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in China

J Infect Dis. 2013 Dec 15;208(12):1962-7. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jit440. Epub 2013 Aug 29.

Abstract

H7N9 avian influenza is an emerging viral disease in China caused by avian influenza A (H7N9) virus. We investigated host cytokine and chemokine profiles in serum samples of H7N9 patients by multiplex-microbead immunoassays. Statistical analysis showed that IP-10, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-2 were increased in H7N9 infected patients. Furthermore, IL-6 and the chemokine IP-10 were significantly higher in severe H7N9 patients compared to nonsevere H7N9 cases. We suggest that proinflammatory cytokine responses, characterized by a combined Th1/Th17 cytokine induction, are partially responsible for the disease progression of patients with H7N9 infection.

Keywords: H7N9 avian influenza; chemokine; cytokine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza, Human / blood*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Cytokines