Abstract: Objective To observe the levels of serum Interferon-2α(IFN-2α) and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in patients with Severe acute respiretory syndrome(SARS). Methods The serum IFN-2αand TNF in 66 patients with SARS were analyzed by RIA, and compared with controls. Results The levels of serum IFN-2αand TNF in patients with active period of SARS were significantly higher than those in controls. The levels of serum IFN-2αin severe type of patients were rise or fall, and TNF in severe type of patients were higher than general type. Conclusion The change of levels of serum IFN-2αand TNF suggested that cellular immunity was involved in immunoreaction. The change of IFN-2αand TNF in severe type of patients with SARS reflected the difference of immunoreaction in patients.

Key words: SARS, Interferon-2α, Tumor necrosis factor