Background: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of disorders, characterized by decreased immunoglobulin levels in serum and increased susceptibility to recurrent infections, autoimmunity, and malignancy. The pathogenesis of CVID is still unknown.
Objectives: This study was performed to investigate T-helper (T(H)) 1 and 2 cytokine levels in patients with CVID.
Material and methods: Twenty-four cases of CVID were studied. Cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon gamma were measured in the serum of the patients and compared with those of healthy controls.
Results: T(H)2 cytokine levels (IL-4 and IL-10) were significantly higher in the patient group than in the controls (median: 64.5 vs 0.0 pg/mL, P=.016 for IL-4 and 321.1 vs. 0.0 pg/mL, P=.001 for IL-10). However, there were no significant differences in T(H)1 cytokines between the 2 groups (median, 116.5 vs. 104.5 pg/mL, P=.22 for IL-2 and 50.5 vs. 42.3 pg/mL, P=.32 for IFN-gamma).
Conclusions: Increased levels of IL-4 and IL-10 could indicate high activation of T(H)2 lymphocytes in this group of patients and consequently supports the concept of a bias towards T(H)2-type responses.