T-cell subsets and interleukin-6 response in Rasmussen's encephalitis


Tekgul H., Polat M., Kitis O., Serdaroglu G., Tosun A., Terlemez S., ...More

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY, vol.33, no.1, pp.39-45, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 33 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2005.01.007
  • Journal Name: PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.39-45
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

To evaluate the immunopathogenesis in Rasmussen's encephalitis, peripheral lymphocyte subsets and interleukin-6 analysis were performed in three patients. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were performed to assess neuronal injury in the affected hemisphere. Before initiation of immune therapy, percentage of cytotoxic T cells was found to be increased in peripheral blood obtained from patients compared with a group of age-matched normal control subjects. During follow-up, percentage of cytotoxic T cells returned to the normal ranges only in one patient who had an early functional hemispherectomy. All three patients had significantly increased interleukin-6 concentration in cerebrospinal fluid and serum compared with the mean values of patients with acute viral encephalitis. The magnitude of interleukin-6 response in the patients correlated with the neuronal loss and atrophy on magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging studies. The patient, who had a fulminant course and an early hemispherectomy, had higher interleukin-6 concentration in cerebrospinal fluid and serum than those of the other two.