IMBALANCE OF IMMUNOREGULATORY Th1- AND Th2-CYTOKINES IN PERSISTENT VIRAL INFECTIONS

Abstract

Abstract. The article is considering certain features of immunopathogenesis exhibited in persistent viral infections, taking into account modern data and recently introduced immunological techniques. It has been revealed that a long-term persistence of hepatitis B and C viruses, tick-borne encephalitis, and herpes simplex is accompanied by deficient functioning in the T-cell compartment of immune system, and by markedly altered production of immunoregulatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes, mainly characterized by Th2 predominance.

Keywords

• th1-lymphocytes
• th2-lymphocytes
• cytokines
• viral infections