IL-8 in cerebrospinal fluid from children with acute encephalopathy is higher than in that from children with febrile seizure.

We identify possible differences in the cytokine/chemokine profiles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from children with encephalopathy and febrile seizure. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17, interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta were measured simultaneously in CSF supernatants from children with encephalopathy (n = 8), febrile seizure (n = 16) and fever without neurological complications (n = 8). IL-8 in CSF from children with encephalopathy was significantly elevated compared to that in CSF from children with febrile seizure and fever without neurological complications. IL-8 in CSF was also higher than serum IL-8, suggesting that increased IL-8 was generated from glia cells or astrocytes, not by leakage from serum. Increased IL-8 in CSF in encephalopathy may protect against severe brain damage.