Levels of Interleukin-2, Interferon-γ, and Interleukin-4 in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid From Patients With<i>Mycoplasma</i>Pneumonia: Implication of Tendency Toward Increased Immunoglobulin E Production

Abstract

IL-4 levels and IL-4/IFN-gamma ratios in BAL fluid are significantly higher in patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia than in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia or control participants. The BAL cytokine data suggest a predominant TH2-like cytokine response in Mycoplasma pneumonia, thus representing a favorable condition for IgE production.