BACKGROUND AND AIM

This study was planned to evaluate the relationships between the levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and Coenzyme Q (CoQ10) and clinical outcome in hospitalized children with pandemic influenza (H1N1). Serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels were also determined to evaluate the changings of oxidative stress's enzyme activities depending on their cofactor concentrations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Children with suspected H1N1 virus infection were hospitalized and nasal swabs were sent to laboratory for confirmation of H1N1 by rRT-PCR assay. Age and sex matched 31 healthy children were included as Control Group. Total antioxidant capacity and CoQ10 were determined by spectrophotometry and HPLC, respectively, and Cu and Zn were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer.

RESULTS

Totally 28 children had H1N1 and 37 children had seasonal influenza (SI). TAC, CoQ10 and Zn levels were found to be significantly decreased in H1N1 patients (1.01 +/- 0.19, 752.2 +/- 163, 69 +/- 27, respectively) compared to Control Group (1.64 +/- 0.36, 934 +/- 21, 92 +/- 4, respectively). Seasonal Influenza group had significantly decreased TAC and Zn levels (1.31 +/- 0.27, 78 +/- 34 respectively) compared with control group (1.64 +/- 0.36, 92 +/-41, respectively). CoQ10 levels were also found as decreased in H1N1 compared to seasonal influenza (752.2 +/- 163 vs 1022 +/- 199, p = 0.003). There was a significant correlation between CoQ10 levels of sera and chest radiographic findings of patients with H1N1 pneumonia. No significant differences were found in serum Cu levels between patients with H1N1 and SI or control group (150 +/- 45 vs 127 +/- 37, p = 0.215). CONCLUSIONS, Pandemic influenza infection had increased oxidative stress compared to the seasonal influenza.