Correlation between IL-33 and IL-13 in asthma exacerbation due to viral infection in adult patients: a cross-sectional study

Maranatha, Daniel; Pertiwi, Wiwi

doi:10.2478/pneum-2025-0016

Abstract

Background

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a crucial cytokine in regulating Th2 immunity, characterised by the expression of IL-5 and IL-13. However, the role of IL-33 in virus-induced asthma exacerbation is inconsistent. This study aims to investigate the correlation between IL-33 and IL-13 expression in virus-related asthma exacerbations.

Method

Nasal swabs were collected from patients with asthma exacerbations (aged 18–55 years) presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) in a 6-month cross-sectional study. Patients with COPD, hypertensive heart failure and lung cancer were excluded. Respiratory viruses were detected using the xTAG Respiratory Virus Panel Fast V2/LUMINEX. Serum IL-33 and IL-13 levels were measured using a human ELISA kit (Elabscience Biotech Inc).

Results

There were 49 subjects with asthma exacerbations (mean age of 43.7 years). A respiratory virus was found in 15 study subjects (30%), predominantly rhinovirus (80%). IL-33 serum levels of virus-positive patients were significantly higher than those of virus-negative patients (30.01 ± 20.85 pg/mL vs 19.28 ± 15.11 pg/mL, P = 0.032). IL-13 serum levels were lower but not significant in virus-positive patients compared with virus-negative patients (27.19 ± 36.86 pg/mL vs 34.10 ± 40.33 pg/mL, P = 0.588). No correlation was found between serum levels of IL-33 and IL-13 in virus-positive patients (P = 0.463).

Conclusion

There is no correlation between IL-33 and IL-13 expression in asthma exacerbation due to viral infection.

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