Age-depended levels of IL-2, IL-4 in children with community acquired pneumonia andwheezing

Aim: of our study was to evaluate production of cytokine9s (IL-2, IL-4) levels in different age groups of children with lower respiratory tract infection. Methods: The study group included 34 children, aged 5 months - 7 years (male:female – 19:15), with pneumonia and wheezing. Levels of IL-2, IL-4were determined in serum samples obtained from all children and were tested by ELISA. Results: IL-2 levels in childrenwith community acquired pneumonia were 37,56±2,76 pg/ml (variation 20,0-100,85 pg/ml) and it is higher, than in healthy children (9,4–12,2 pg/ml). IL-4 levels in our study group were 51,02 ±2,37 and this is too higher, than in healthy children (6-24pg/ml). We9ve divided our study group into three subgroups: 6 – 12 month (I group – 15 children), 1-3 years (II group – 9 children) and 3-6 years (III group – 10 children). In group I serum levels of IL-2 was 31,14±2,3 pg/ ml and in preschool children IL-2 was 34,48±4,0pg/ml,but in toddlers level of IL-2 was higher (40,4±4,6 pg/ml, p Serum levels of IL-4 showed no significant differences in relation to the age: I group 49,57±4,1 pg/ml, II group - 50,82±6,19 pg/ml and III group - 49,59 ±2,3 pg/ml, but it is elevated 2 times in comparison with health children (6-24pg/ml). Conclusions: Community aquired pneumonia evolves with expressed levels of IL-2 in toddlers. It demonstrates hyperreactivity of proinflamatory process in these childrens. Levels of IL-4 in pneumonia and wheezing are greatly increased but do not correlate with the child9s age periods.