Cytokines Profile in RSV Infection According to Nutritional Status.

Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) are the main cause of children hospitalization. Increased severity was found in RSV infection with gain-of-function polymorphisms in IL-4 gene, suggestive of Th2 bias. Moreover, obesity has emerged as a new risk factor in ARI. Aims: To evaluate cytokine profile in children with RSV ARI according to nutritional status. Methods: We studied 40 children <2 years hospitalised for single RSV ARI by RT-PCR (30 normal weight and 10 overnutrition: obesity and overweight), without chronic diseases. Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were collected for quantify ILs: IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-a, INF-g and leptin (Luminex technology). Severity was evaluated by hospitalization and oxygen therapy days. Results: Children with overnutrition presented significant more oxygen therapy days and marginally more days of hospitzalisation (Table1). Significant higher levels of IL-4 (p=0.044) and marginally higher level of leptin (p=0.056) in NPA was found in overnutrition children. The other cytokines did not show differences. Conclusions: Overnutrition is associated with severity of RSV infection and with a Th2 immune response in children. It is required to increase the sample size. Future work will examine the importance of adipokines on this phenomenon. Acknowledgements: We thank Hospital Dr. Exequiel González Cortés and Servicio Materno-Infantil Clínica Dávila, Fondecyt-Nº11150599.