Korean J Pediatr.  2009 Dec;52(12):1348-1357. 10.3345/kjp.2009.52.12.1348.

Changes in the expression of cytokines and apoptosis-related genes in children with infectious mononucleosis

• Jo DS
• Han JH
• Kim SY
• Kim MS
• Yi HK
• Lee DY
• Hwang PH

• KMID: 1475784
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2009.52.12.1348

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aims of this study were to identify the clinical characteristics and determine the changes in the expression of cytokines and apoptosis-related genes in children with infectious mononucleosis. METHODS: Serological examinations of 15 pediatric patients diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis were performed prospectively. Peripheral blood from the patients was used to compare the composition of T cell subsets, cytokines, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes with those in 10 healthy children. RESULTS: Mean age of the patient group was 5.7+/-3.4 (range, 3-9) years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. Fever, sore throat, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and cervical lymph node enlargement were the most common symptoms and signs. The proportions of CD3+ T cells, CD8+ suppressor cells, and CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the patient group than in the control group (P<0.01). The IL-2, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-gamma levels were higher in the early symptomatic period (P<0.01). Mean amount of EBV DNA in the patients was 10(2.38) copies/microg, and the amount was the highest at the beginning of the symptomatic period and normalized during the convalescent phase. Bcl-2 expression increased during the initial phase, while Bax expression increased during the convalescent phase. Further, FasL expression increased 1 week after symptom presentation and decreased during the convalescent phase. There was no significant change in Fas expression. CONCLUSION: We analyzed the clinical characteristics and changes in the expression ofcytokines and apoptosis-related genes in the patients with infectious mononucleosis.

Keyword

Infectious Mononucleosis; Cytokines; Apoptosis; Children; Gene

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis
Child
Cytokines
DNA
Fever
Herpesvirus 4, Human
Humans
Infectious Mononucleosis
Interferons
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-6
Lymph Nodes
Pharyngitis
Prospective Studies
T-Lymphocyte Subsets
T-Lymphocytes
Cytokines
DNA
Interferons
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-6