Study on proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha) and IL-2 in patients with acute hepatitis B.

Cytokine production in patients with hepatitis B may be related either to multiple immune abnormalities or to favourable outcome of the disease. Serum levels of IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were determined dynamically by ELISA kits in patients with self-limited form of acute hepatitis B infection (A-HBV) during the first, second and third decade after icterus appearance. IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha had characteristically high levels in patients measured in all decades, but these were the highest during the first. Then they gradually decreased, reaching normal values at the stage of convalescence. Serum IL-2 levels were found to be most significantly elevated during the second decade and also dropped to normal values in the course of the disease. Patients who cleared HBsAg on the third month after dehospitalisation had higher mean values of IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in comparison with those who were still HBsAg carriers, thus indicating that proinflammatory cytokine production in self-limited HBV may be important for viral clearance.