Labadaridis, J, Theodoraki, M, Dimitriou, E, Spanou, K, Sarafidou, J, Triantaphylidis, G, and Michelakakis, H
Background : Increased activity of chitotriosidase, a human enzyme with chitinolytic properties, has been observed to increase in neonates with fungal and microbial infections. IL-10 is an antiflammatory cytokine associated with Th-2 response and thus alternative activation of macrophages which are believed to produce chitotriosidase.Aim : To investigate chitotriosidase activity in relation to IL-10 levels in neonates with fungal and microbial infections.Neonates-Methods : A total of 20 neonates, 6 with fungal (1 Aspergullus niger, 5 Candida albicans) and 14 with microbial infections, were studied. In all, chitotriosidase activity (fluorometric method) in urine samples and IL-10 plasma levels (Elisa Diaclone kit) were measured on diagnosis and in 16/20 neonates in serial samples.Results : A positive statistically significant correlation was observed between chitotriosidase activity in urine and IL-10 plasma levels (chitotriosidase activity: 0–10060, mean: 594.86 nmoles/mg creatinine/hr, n=42, IL-10: 0.8–263.6 mean: 58.8 pg/ml, n=44; Pearson q=0.411, p=0.008). In fungal, but not in microbial infections, the highest IL-10 levels were observed in neonates that died.Conclusions : Our results, in agreement with previous studies, support the proposal that chitotriosidase is produced by alternatively activated macrophages. Increased IL-10 levels may be an indicator of adverse outcome in fungal infections.