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Rotavirus induces alpha-interferon release in children with gastroenteritis
D De Boissieu1, P Lebon, J Badoual
1Département de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Saint Vincent de Paul, Paris, France.
Insights
Systemic alpha-Interferon (IFN) peaked within 2 days during rotavirus gastroenteritis in children. Higher IFN levels correlated with more vomiting and peripheral cyanosis, suggesting a role in symptom severity and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness.
- The role of alpha-Interferon (IFN) in rotavirus infections is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alpha-Interferon (IFN) blood levels in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- To correlate IFN levels with clinical symptoms and disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 38 children hospitalized for rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- Systemic alpha-Interferon (IFN) levels were measured.
- Correlation analysis was performed between IFN levels and clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- A peak in systemic alpha-IFN was observed within 2 days of symptom onset.
- Significant positive correlation between alpha-IFN levels and the number of vomiting episodes (p = 0.0003).
- Higher alpha-IFN levels were associated with peripheral cyanosis (p = 0.005) and shorter diarrhea duration (p = 0.06).
Conclusions:
- Alpha-Interferon (IFN) may contribute to the severity of initial symptoms like vomiting and cyanosis in rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- IFN might play a role in the recovery process from diarrhea.
Abstract:
alpha-Interferon (IFN) blood levels were studied in 38 children hospitalized for rotavirus gastroenteritis. During rotavirus infection, a peak of systemic alpha-IFN was observed within 2 days of onset of symptoms. There was a significant positive correlation between alpha-IFN levels and the number of vomiting episodes (p = 0.0003) but not with duration of vomiting, maximal temperature, and duration of fever. alpha-IFN levels were higher in children with peripheral cyanosis compared with children without peripheral cyanosis (p = 0.005) and tended to be higher in children with diarrhea of < 3 days' duration compared with those with diarrhea lasting > 4 days (p = 0.06). alpha-IFN could be partly responsible for the severity of such initial symptoms as vomiting and peripheral cyanosis in rotavirus gastroenteritis and could play a role in recovery from diarrhea.