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Augmented production of interleukin-8 in cerebrospinal fluid in bacterial meningitis

T Seki1, K Joh, T Oh-ishi

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Allergy, Saitama Children's Medical Center, Japan.

Immunology
|October 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are significantly higher in bacterial meningitis patients compared to aseptic meningitis patients. This elevated IL-8 may explain the greater inflammation severity in bacterial meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a cytokine produced by monocytes and endothelial cells.
  • IL-8 mediates leucocyte adhesion to endothelium and neutrophil migration into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • Inflammation in meningitis involves cytokine release from leucocytes encountering microorganisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the concentration of IL-8 in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis, aseptic meningitis, and gastroenteritis.
  • To determine if IL-8 levels correlate with the severity of inflammation in different meningitis types.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative immunometric sandwich enzyme immunoassay was used.
  • CSF samples were collected from patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, aseptic meningitis, and gastroenteritis (controls).
  • IL-8 concentrations were measured in all CSF samples.

Main Results:

  • CSF IL-8 concentration was markedly higher in bacterial meningitis patients (224 +/- 2.57 pg/ml) compared to aseptic meningitis patients (< 30 pg/ml).
  • IL-8 levels in aseptic meningitis patients were similar to those in gastroenteritis control patients (< 30 pg/ml).

Conclusions:

  • Augmented IL-8 production in CSF is associated with bacterial meningitis.
  • Elevated IL-8 levels may contribute to the more severe inflammation observed in bacterial meningitis compared to aseptic meningitis.

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