[Indices of cell immunity and immune system mediators in patients with acute HCV infection]

The purpose of the work was to study the levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-alpha), interferon alpha (IF-alpha), interferon gamma (IF-gamma), and the parameters of T-cell immunity in 70patients with acute hepatitis C (AHC). The content of cytokines in peripheral blood was determined by immune-enzyme technique using test systems produced by Proteinovy Kontur (Saint-Petersburg). Evaluation of T-cell reacting (CD4, CD8, CD16, and CD20) was done using a kit of mono- and polyclonal antibodies for human T-lymphocyte, B-lymphocyte, T-helper, T-killer-suppressor, and NK-lymphocyte detection with immunofluorescence technique, produced by Sorbent, Podolsk. Assessment of cytokine spectrum was of a prognostic value. Primary examination revealed high levels of IL-2, IFgamma, CD4, and CD16 and normal levels of IL-4 in most patients who recovered later. These changes characterized a more pronounced activity of Th1 lymphocytes and suppression of Th2 mediator synthesis, which favored the formation of a strong immune response and led to viral elimination. Primary examination usually did not find a significant elevation of pro-inflammatory mediators level, but found high levels of IL-4, CD8, and CD20 in AHC patients whose disease later acquired a chronic form. These features of the spectrum of immune response mediators reflected a more prominent activity of Th2-lymphocytes, suppressing Th1-effector mechanisms, which favored active viral replication and the formation of chronic C hepatitis.