Evaluation of the influence of the etiological spectrum herpesviruses into systemic and local immune response in encephalitis in children

Abstract

Herpesviruses are the most common etiological agents of encephalitis in children. The most pathogenic properties for humans are: Herpes Simplex virus type 1, type 2, Varicella Zoster virus, Human Herpes virus type 6 and Epstein-Barr virus, combined infection with which, along with the individual characteristics of the patient's immune status, can lead to a severe course and unpredictable outcome encephalitis.Materials and methods. Clinical and neurological monitoring, etiological verification of infectious agents in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid by PCR and ELISA methods were carried out in 85 children with encephalitis at the age of 10—18 years. In patients suffering from herpesvirus encephalitis, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukins, chemokines were determined in the blood during the acute period of the disease and after 10—14 days.Results. A decrease in the production of IFN-α and IFN-γ was revealed, which is an unfavorable factor prolonging the course of an active herpes virus infection. Conclusions. Cytokines should be considered as one of the prognostic factors for the course and outcomes of encephalitis in children, which will allow timely correction of patient management tactics in each specific case and improve the outcome of the disease.