Cytokines’ Expression in Children with Viral Pneumonia: A prospective Study in a Sample of Egyptian Children

Background: Community acquired pneumonia still a prominent reason of mortality and morbidity in developing countries which can caused by many pathogens with predominant of viral etiologies in children. Studying of cytokines response in viral pneumonia is useful to improve management and outcome. Aim: This study aimed to compare the level of cytokines (IL5, IL6, IL8, IL1B and IL10) in children diagnosed with viral and non-viral pneumonia, correlate with the causative virus and the clinical picture. Methods: An observational, prospective study included 101 children with pneumonia. Serum was analyzed different cytokines (IL10, IL1B, IL5, IL8, and IL6) by ELISA. Result: No significant difference was reported between cytokines level in children with viral pneumonia and non-viral pneumonia in our study. A significant difference was found regarding IL-6 concentration between patients with and without Human Metapneumovirus and Para 3 infections was reported. Conclusion: Cytokines level in pneumonia is affected by many factors as the causative organism, nutritional status, age, severity, and duration of infection. Additionally, recent research has disclosed that interleukin responses are considerably altered in numerous disease states. A large-scale study with measurement of cytokines in subsequent days is recommended.