IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein levels in patients with dengue virus infection

摘要

Objective:To determine the levels ofIL-18 andIL-18binding protein(BP) in patients with dengue virus infection.Methods: Acute and convalescent sera were collected from each patient. Control group was sera from blood donors. The levels of both IL-18 andIL-18BP were measured byELISA assays.Results: It was shown thatIL-18 andIL-18BPlevels were significantly higher in patients when compared with controls. In addition, the level ofIL-18BP was lower in convalescent than in acute sera.Conclusions: These data suggest that bothIL-18 andIL-18BP production was induced following dengue virus infection. Investigating the regulation of IL-18 by its natural regulator could lead to further understanding of the immune response or immunopathogenesis following dengue virus infection.