[Levels of soluble intracellular adhesion molecules 1 (sICAM-1) , soluble receptors for interleukin 2 (sIL-2R) and anti-Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen (anti-VCA IgM) in blood serum during the course of infectious mononucleosis].

The clinical picture of infectious mononucleosis and the consequences of EBV infection are due to immune response mechanisms. The level of soluble form of IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is thought to be a marker of T-cell activity, especially CD8+. Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1, CD 54) plays an important role in the process of antigen presentation. The aim of this study was to assess the serum concentration of sIL-2R, ICAM-1 and anti-VCA IgM in patients with infectious mononucleosis. The study group comprised 42 persons: 20 healthy subjects as a control group and 22 individuals with infectious mononucleosis. The highest anti-VCA IgM serum level in all patients was during the 1st day of hospitalization, and decreased in the 8th day of hospitalization. The lowest antibody concentration was observed when the symptoms and sings ceased. The level of sIL-2R was significantly increased and during farther hospitalization we observed lower, but still elevated concentrations. Our study has demonstrated statistically significant elevation of sICAM-1 level during the entire period of hospitalization. This data indicates the importance of antigen presentation process. Although the serum concentration of immune response mediators does not reflect their contents in organism, but is a useful method for in vivo examination.