Assess The Role Of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 And TNF-a Levels In Serum In Elderly Patients With Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective To assess the role of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a levels inserum in elderly patients with acute lower respiratory tract infection andchronic bronchitis. Methods By RIA, we measured the serum levels of IL-2,IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a in 30 patients with acute lower respiratory tractinfection, 30 patients with chronic bronchitis at different stages and 30controls . Results The levels of TNF-a , IL-6 and IL-8 in 30 patients withacute respiratory tract infection were obviously increased than controlgroup(p<0.001) but the levels of IL-2 were lower than controls. Theincreased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a in serum correlated with clinicalparameters. In 30 patients with chronic bronchitis , the levels ofTNF-a , IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher at acute stage than thoseat recovery stage(p<0.001), and the levels of TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-8 werealso different in convalescent phase and in normal controls(p<0. 001). Thelevels of IL-2 in patients with chronic bronchitis were obviously lowerthan controls but have no statistical differences in acute and convalescentstages(p>0. 05). Furthermore we also found there were positive correlationin IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a in patients with acute and chronic lower respiratorytract infection. Conclusions The dates indicate that changes of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-a are related to the development not only in acute but alsoin chronic inflammation and are markers of severe disease. They may beconsidered as useful markers for elderly patients with respiratory tractinfection.