Interleukin-6 and Disease

Chronic fatigue syndrome has been associated with patterns of cytokine imbalances whose relevance to disease status remains to be documented. We present here two case reports that illustrate the relevance of measuring intcrlcuk.in-6 levels in biological fluids in two clinical entities: hypothermia and Sjogren's syndrome. Further studies of this nature in extended patient populations will allow to discern the relevant contribution among the pleiotropy of roles of each particular cytokine in different clinical settings. It becomes apparent from the cases presented that the clinical manifestation of the imbalance in the expression of a particular cytokine is contingent upon the compartment where it occurs and upon levels of other cylokines. Similar studies will allow to define signature cytokine imbalances for each disease condition and may also shed light on thus far uncharacterized etiological agents.