[Effect of leukotriene receptor antagonist on the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in sera of infants with respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of leukotriene receptor antagonist on the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and the serum cysteinyl leukotrenes (CysLTs) in infants and young children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia.

METHODS

Thirty-seven infants and young children with RSV pneumonia were divided into two groups after discharge. The cases in group 1 (n=24) were treated with a leukotriene receptor antagonist, Singulair 4 mg once daily for 12 weeks; the cases in group 2 (n=13) were treated with budesonide aerosol 200 ug once or twice daily for 12 weeks. The serum CysLTs, IFN-gamma and IL-4 were detected with enzyme_linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for all the 37 cases, and 10 healthy infants of the same age served as controls.

RESULTS

The serum CysLTs level in the cases with RSV pneumonia was significantly higher than that in controls (P<0.05). There was an imbalance in expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-4 ) in these cases. Both Singulair and budesonide aerosol could correct the imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. The serum CysLTs level declined after treatment with Singulair in 24 cases, but no significant change occurred after treatment with budesonide aerosol in the remaining 13 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum CysLTs level in children with RSV pneumonia was higher than that in healthy children, and there was an imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in these infants, which was similar to those with asthma. Leukotriene receptor antagonist may be effective in preventing children with RSV pneumonia from evolving into asthma.