Serum Levels of Lymphokines and Soluble Cellular Receptors in Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abstract

The immunopathology in primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections and in chronic fatigue syndrome was studied by examining serum levels of interleukins (IL) and of soluble T cell receptors in serum samples. Serum samples were from patients during and 6 months after primary EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis and from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and serologic evidence of EBV reactivation. Markers for T lymphocyte activation (soluble IL-2 and CD8) and for monocyte activation (neopterin) were significantly elevated during acute infectious mononucleosis but not in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Interferon-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 levels were not significantly increased in any patient group but inferferon-gamma levels were significantly increased during the acute phase of infectious mononucleosis. The levels of IL-1 alpha were significantly higher than in controls both in patients with infectious mononucleosis and in those with chronic fatigue syndrome. In the latter, the lack of most markers for lymphocyte activation found in patients with infectious mononucleosis makes it less likely that EBV reactivation causes symptoms.

Association of transforming growth factor- 1 gene polymorphism in the development of Epstein-Barr virus-related hematologic diseases

“…It has been reported that serum levels of IL-1α were high in patients with IM. 3 The expression of IL-1β was high in the tonsils of IM patients, and that of IL-1α was high in epithelial cells. 22 By contrast, no significant increases of serum IL-1α and β levels were found in HLH patients.…”

“…The levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-γ have been reported to be elevated in the serum of patients with IM. 3,4 In EBV-HLH, serum levels of IFN-γ and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) are especially high.…”

Assessment of Fatigue and Psychologic Disturbances in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

“…Excessive production of cytokines such as interferon, interleukin-1␤, and tumor necrosis factor-␣ may be involved in the development of chronic fatigue syndromes. [16][17][18] Some studies have noted elevated cytokine levels in patients with chronic liver disease, 19 whereas others have found no causal link between cytokines and fatigue. [20][21][22] The most common risk factor for HCV infection worldwide is injected drug use; in this population, the seropositivity rate of HCV is nearly 80% in the United States.…”

Cytokine production by adherent and non-adherent mononuclear cells in chronic fatigue syndrome

“…A large number of immune abnormalities, including cytokine production in CFS, have been reported (Buchwald & Komaroff, 1991, Gupta & Vayuvegula, 1991, Gupta, 1992, Jone, 1991, Kalimas et al, 1990, Lloyd et al, 1989, Straus et al, 1989. The published data on cytokine levels are contradictory (Cheney et al, 1989, Lever et al, 1988, Straus et al, 1989Lloyd et al, 1994, Linde et al, 1992. Furthermore, no study has been done on separated adherent and non-adherent cells, and none has been reported on IL-10 production in CFS.…”