Differences in early cytokine production are associated with development of a greater number of symptoms following west nile virus infection

Kevin W. Hoffman, David Sachs, Susana V. Bardina, Daniela Michlmayr, Carlos A. Rodriguez, Janet Sum, Gregory A. Foster, David Krysztof, Susan L. Stramer, Jean K. Lim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging cause of meningitis and encephalitis in the United States. Although severe neuroinvasive disease and death can occur in rare instances, the majority of infected individuals remain asymptomatic or present with a range of clinical manifestations associated with West Nile fever. Methods. To better understand the interindividual variability associated with the majority of WNV infections, we evaluated the association of cytokine/chemokine production and outcome of infection among 115 WNV-positive US blood donors identified in 2008-2011. All subjects self-reported symptoms as having occurred during the 2 weeks following blood donation, using a standardized questionnaire. Results. We discovered that, prior to seroconversion, an early potent, largely type I interferon-mediated response correlated with development of a greater number of symptoms in WNV-infected individuals. Interestingly, individuals who developed fewer symptoms had not only a more modest type I interferon response initially, but also a protracted cytokine response after seroconversion, marked by the production of monocyte and T-cell-associated chemokines. Conclusions. Collectively, our data suggest that, although an early type I interferon response appears to be crucial to control WNV infection, successful immunity may require a modest early response that is maintained during the course of infection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)634-643
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume214
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Aug 2016

Keywords

  • Blood bank
  • Blood donations
  • Clinical outcome
  • Early symptomatology
  • Susceptibility

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Differences in early cytokine production are associated with development of a greater number of symptoms following west nile virus infection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this