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Abstract
An association of Chandipura (CHP) virus with an explosive outbreak of encephalitis in children from India affecting 349 children with 55% mortality was recently reported. To understand the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of CHP infection, 14 paediatric encephalitis cases admitted to a tertiary care hospital and 5 age-matched apparently healthy control children were studied. At the time of sampling, post onset of disease was ≤2 d (Group A, n = 4) and >2 d (Group B, n = 10). Concentrations of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6 in mitogen stimulated PBMC supernatants of patients and controls were assessed by ELISA. IL-2 levels in Group A and B were significantly higher compared with controls (28.4±21.9 vs <7.8, p=0.01, 269.4±311.0.vs <7.8, p = 0.01). IFN-γ levels were significantly elevated in both the groups compared with controls (394.4±107.7 vs 13.9±20.9, p = 0.01, 339.5±244.9 vs 13.9±20.9, p = 0.01). TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in Group B compared with controls (573.1±472.5 vs 113.4.±148.3, p = 0.01, 486.2±145.7 vs 113.8±82.4, p = 0.003). Cytokine levels were not significantly different in Groups A and B.