RT Journal
A1 Mintz M, Rapaport R, Oleske JM, et al
T1 ELevated serum levels of tumor necrosis factor are associated with progressive encephalopathy in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1989
FD July 1
VO 143
IS 7
SP 771
OP 774
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150190021012
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150190021012
AB • The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was assayed in the sera (n = 31) and cerebrospinal fluid (n=26) of children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, using a competitive radioimmunoassay. Elevated serum levels of TNF were found in 15 (79%) of 19 patients with progressive encephalopathy (PE), compared with 1 (8%) of 12 patients without neurologic involvement. There was a significant association of PE with elevated serum TNF levels. Conversely, of 16 patients with elevated serum TNF levels, 15 (94%) were found to have PE, and of 8 patients with serum TNF levels greater than 100 pg/mL, all 8(100%) had PE. No association was found between cerebrospinal fluid levels of TNF and PE. Neither serum nor cerebrospinal fluid TNF levels correlated with the degree of cachexia. These data suggest that circulating TNF may be responsible for the myelin damage that occurs in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-associated PE.(AJDC. 1989;143:771-774)