Estimation of T-helper 1 Cytokines (IFN-y and TL-2) in HBV Infected patients and Individuals vaccinated with Recombinant HB Vaccine

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The specific cellular immune responses play a main role in the hepatic necrosis that occurs with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Interferon-g (IFN-g) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) are considered examples on T helper 1(Th1) cytokines which required for host antiviral immune response and involved in cell-mediate immunity against HBV infection. This study was designed to estimation T-helper 1 cytokines (IFN-g and IL-2) in HBV infected patients and individuals vaccinated with recombinant HB vaccine.Methods: The study groups were classified into patient group 35 (15 acute hepatitis (AH) and 20 chronic hepatitis(CH)) and 35 vaccinated group (20 responder (RD) and 15 Nonresponder (NRD)) and 18 control group, during May to November 2007. Blood samples were taken from patients and hospitals staffs in Nanakaly, Erbil and Rizgary Teaching Hospital to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti hepatitis core antibody IgM (Anti- HBc Ab(IgM)), Anti-HBs Ab, IFN-g level and IL-2 level in serum by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The concentration of IFN-g and IL-2 levels in the AH group differed significantly compared with healthy control and CH patients (p<0.01) by F-test. LSD-analysis for IFN-g also revealed same result while IL-2 level significantly increased in healthy control only. Ftest for IFN-g revealed (p<0.05) among RD group, NRD group and healthy non vaccinated (HN) control in ≥30 and <30 years old respectively but inverse result was observed in IL-2 levels (p>0.05).