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. 2016 Oct-Dec;6(4):276-281.
doi: 10.4103/2229-516X.192595.

Interleukin-4 and interferon-γ are possible allergic markers in pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity

Khaled H Mahmoud  1 , Abdullateef A Alzolibani  2 , Zafar Rasheed  3 , Yasser Farouk  1 , Ghada Bin Saif  4 , Ahmad A Al Robaee  2
Affiliations

Interleukin-4 and interferon-γ are possible allergic markers in pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity

Khaled H Mahmoud et al. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2016 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Background: β-lactam agents are known to elicit T-cell-mediated immune responses that play a central role in the onset of allergic reactions, but the involvement of specific type of cytokines in drug allergy remains largely unexplored in humans.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the role of cytokines involvement in pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity and to determine whether involvement of cytokines in drug-mediated reactions are important for the perspective of allergic patient's management.

Methods: β-lactam-induced hypersensitivity reactions in eighty pediatric patients were determined by clinical manifestations and skin prick or intradermal testing. Production of T-helper (Th) type-1 cytokine interferon (INF)-γ, Th-2 cytokine interleukin (IL)-4, regulatory T-cell cytokine IL-10, and other cytokines IL-6 and IL-12 were determined by sandwich ELISAs.

Results: Diagnosis of β-lactam allergy was confirmed in 53 pediatric patients. IL-4 secretion in patients' sera was significantly higher as compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05). However, INF-γ level in patients' sera was significantly lower as compared with controls (P < 0.05). No significant alterations were found in the protein secretion of IL-10, IL-12, and IL-6 in allergic patients as compared with controls (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: We conclude that IL-4 is specific marker for the diagnosis of β-lactam-induced hypersensitivity. Moreover, IL-4 in combination with INF-γ is more sensitive for the diagnosis of these reactions. This study also concludes that both IL-4 and INF-γ may play an active role in the onset of allergic reactions against β-lactam antibiotics.

Keywords: Hypersensitivity; interferon-γ; interleukin-4; pediatric patients; β-lactam.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Culprit β-lactam agents of the original reaction in affected pediatric patients. Each histogram represents percentage of the total. (b) Clinical presentation of the drug reactions in affected patients. Each histogram represents percentage of the total
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Interleukin-4 levels in serum samples of pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity. *P < 0.0001 versus controls. (b) Interferon-γ levels in serum samples of pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity. #P < 0.05 versus controls. Histograms show the mean ± standard deviation
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Interleukin-6 levels in serum samples of pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity. Patients versus controls, P > 0.05. (b) Interleukin-12 levels in serum samples of pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity. Patients versus controls, P > 0.05. (c) Interleukin-10 levels in serum samples of pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity. Patients versus controls, P > 0.05. Histograms show the mean ± standard deviation
Figure 4
Figure 4
Immunoglobulin E levels in serum samples of pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity. #P < 0.001 versus controls. Histograms show the mean ± standard deviation
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