Pathogens and Disease · 2019 · 20 citations · 13 references
Veterinary MedicineImmunologyInfectious DiseasesImmunology Of Infectious DiseasesInflammationNeuroinfectious DiseasesAntiviral ImmunityCytokine BiologyEncephalitisInterferon ResponsesViral InfectionsWest Nile Virus InfectionImmune Cell Cytokine ProductionInflammatory Cytokine ProductionSex Differences In MorbiditySex-based Differences In SusceptibilityType I Interferon PathwaysWest Nile Virus DiseaseWest Nile Virus EncephalitisWest Nile Virus Transmission
West Nile virus (WNV) infection outcomes vary among individuals, with most infections resulting in asymptomatic or mild flu-like symptoms. We previously reported an association between early cytokine production and symptom outcome following WNV infection in US blood donors. In this meta-analysis, we found that WNV-infected females reported more symptoms than WNV-infected males, despite similar initial viremia and type I interferon responses. As the infection progressed, males exhibited a protracted cytokine response-marked by sustained CCL2 (MCP-1), CCL11 (eotaxin-1), CXCL10 (IP-10) and IL-15-that was absent in females. Our results suggest that sex differences may be a factor in sustaining WNV immunity.
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