Cytokine profiles in an extremely preterm infant with congenital syphilis

We report the cytokine profiles of an infant with congenital syphilis as a first case. This female infant was born by vaginal delivery at a gestational age of 27 weeks during her mother's treatment for syphilis. Elevation of T helper (Th)-1 cytokines (interleukin (IL) -2, IL -12) and IL -17, which supports immunological mechanisms of Th-1, was similar to that in cases of syphilis in adults. IL -6 and granulocyte colony -stimulating factor (G-CSF), the synergistic effects of which cause the leukemoid reaction, were also elevated. The levels of interferon-gamma and IL -17 in cerebral spinal fluid, which are elevated in neurosyphilis in adults, were slightly elevated.