Increased IL-1β Production From dsRNA-stimulated Leukocytes in Febrile Seizures

This study examined the possibility that children with and without a history of febrile seizures might mount different immune responses to double-stranded ribonucleic acid, which is a common viral factor that induces host cell immune responses, and is recognized by Toll-like receptor 3. The production of interleukin-1β and interferon-α from double-stranded ribonucleic acid–stimulated leukocytes was examined in 27 children (age 3.6 ± 0.3 years) with a history of febrile seizures and in 18 children (age 3.4 ± 0.2 years) without a history of febrile seizures. Significantly (P = 0.0007) increased interleukin-1β production was observed in children with a history of febrile seizures, compared with control subjects. When patients with a single prior episode of febrile seizures (n = 9) and those with multiple prior episodes of febrile seizures (n = 18) were compared, a significant difference in interleukin-1β production was not observed. Genotyping of interleukin-1β(-511), Toll-like receptor 3, Toll-IL-1 receptor domain-containing adapter inducing interferon-β, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist polymorphisms revealed no significant differences in allelic distribution among febrile seizure patients and control subjects. Interleukin-1β production was not significantly influenced by genotype. Viral infection results in increased interleukin-1β production in febrile seizure patients, and this may play a role in febrile seizures.