Levels of interleukins 12 (IL-12) and 13 (IL-13), hepatitis B and C serology, and blood cultures among acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in Egypt

Nour el deen RAA (1), Harfoush RA (1), Elgharabawy MM (1), Hamed NA (2), Morsi MG (1)

(1) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt; (2) Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.

Abstract: There is an interest in the use of IL-12 as a possible anti-cancer drug to induce immune responses and anti-IL-13 formulations to treat the undesirable effects of IL-13. Thus, the present study aimed at analyzing IL-12 and IL-13 profiles, viral hepatitis serology and blood cultures in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Forty individuals (20 without septicemia - Group A, and 20 with septicemia - Group B) and 20 healthy controls were evaluated. Hepatitis B virus antigens (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibodies (HCV Ab) were quantified using commercial ELISA kits. IL-12 and IL-13 levels were estimated in culture supernatant of mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells by ELISA. Significantly low IL-12 values were observed among AML patients compared to controls whereas the opposite was observed regarding IL-13. IL-12 levels were found to be elevated in the follow-up cases. M4 and M5 subtypes of AML presented higher IL-12 levels than M1 and M2 subtypes. The isolated organisms from AML with septicemia were Staphylococcus aureus (35%), Esherichia coli (25%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (25%), and Candida (15%). Fungemia cases showed higher IL-12 values than bacteremia cases. In conclusion, IL-12 and IL-13 should be further tested in large-scale studies to provide future immunotherapy against AML.

Key words: acute myeloid leukemia, IL-12, IL-13, HBsAg, HCV, ELISA.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks are due to all staff members of the Department of Microbiology, colleagues and our parents who sponsored this study.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: January 30, 2011.

Accepted: April 18, 2011.

Abstract published online: April 26, 2011.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Alexandria University, Egypt.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

MONA GAMAL MORSI, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.  Mobile: 0105171621.  Email: morsirg@yahoo.com.