We identify possible differences in the cytokine/chemokine profiles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from children with encephalopathy and febrile seizure. Interleukin (IL)‐1β, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17, interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor‐α, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, granulocyte monocyte colony‐stimulating factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β were measured simultaneously in CSF supernatants from children with encephalopathy (n = 8), febrile seizure (n = 16) and fever without neurological complications (n = 8). IL‐8 in CSF from children with encephalopathy was significantly elevated compared to that in CSF from children with febrile seizure and fever without neurological complications. IL‐8 in CSF was also higher than serum IL‐8, suggesting that increased IL‐8 was generated from glia cells or astrocytes, not by leakage from serum. Increased IL‐8 in CSF in encephalopathy may protect against severe brain damage.

Mumps meningitis may induce a distinct immunological response when compared with other types of viral meningitis.

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Background: Cat-scratch disease is the most common form of Bartonella henselae infection. Although reports have shown that CSD is relatively common, they have not shown the prevalence of seropositivity for Bartonella henselae in cases of cervical lymphadenitis and Kawasaki disease, which are relatively common diseases in children. Methods:We evaluated the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G-and IgM-class antibodies against Bartonella henselae in children with cervical lymphadenitis, Kawasaki disease, and infectious diseases without lymphadenopathy in a semi-rural area in Japan. Results:We found that the positivity rate for the IgG antibody against Bartonella henselae in patients with cervical lymphadenitis who owned cats or dogs was significantly higher than that in patients with Kawasaki disease and infectious diseases without lymphadenopathy. However, the average age of children with cervical lymphadenitis did not significantly differ when compared to those with other infectious diseases. Conclusion: Our serological study showed that Bartonella henselae infection may contribute to the etiology of cervical lymphadenitis in children.

The present study aimed to elucidate the possible role of High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1), which is a candidate prognostic marker in diseases that combine inflammation and tissue injury, in acute encephalopathy. HMGB1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained on admission from eight children with acute encephalopathy, and 16 children with febrile seizure, eight children with bacterial/aseptic meningitis, and eight children with fever without neurological symptoms were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found no increase in HMGB1 in CSF from acute encephalopathy or in CSF from febrile seizure or fever without neurological complications at early time points, while marked elevation of HMGB1 was seen in CSF from bacterial and aseptic meningitis. In conclusion, HMGB1 is a poor disease marker for acute encephalopathy.