Correlation between IL-1β and IL-18 Levels with the Severity of Dengue Infection

Activated monocytes/macrophages and T lymphocytes that generate a cytokine storm are thought to play a critical role in the development of dengue. Cytokine storms, characterized by the excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, can result in cellular dysfunction and organ failure, often contributing to the severity of dengue in affected patients. Interleukin-18 (IL-18), like IL-1β, is a proinflammatory cytokine released during inflammation triggered by inflammasome activation. Increased IL-1β and IL-18 during dengue virus infection (DVI) are known to worsen the host's vascular permeability, increasing hemostasis disorders and potentially, all of which are important elements in the pathophysiology of dengue fever. This study investigates the association between IL-1β levels, IL-18 levels, age, dengue virus serotype, and the severity of dengue virus infection, aiming to understand how these factors interact and influence disease outcomes. This study is an observational cross-sectional design from 59 DVI patients in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya with positive dengue PCR results. Both IL-1β and IL-18 levels reveal no significant relationship with the patient's age, infection status, and dengue virus serotype. A weak negative significant relationship between IL-1β levels and the severity of DVI, indicating an inverse relationship between IL-1β levels and the severity. Further studies are required to investigate the function of these cytokines in severe dengue.