[Mechanisms of fever]

Rev Prat. 2002 Jan 15;52(2):135-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Fever represents a normal and adaptative response developed in case of host aggression, notably by infectious agents, and is part of a large defense system, the acute phase response. Fever mediators are mainly derived from the host cells and are pyrogenous cytokines such as interleukin-1, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 or interferons which act at the hypothalamus level via prostaglandin E2. Although fever has been conserved through evolution, its beneficial effects in humans are not well-established.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Cytokines / pharmacology*
  • Fever / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus / physiology
  • Infections / pathology*

Substances

  • Cytokines