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Abstract. Cellular immunity was mediated the host immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in which cytokine and Th 1 cells play an important role. IFN-g is a leading cytokine involved in the immune response of tuberculosis (TB). The primary function of IFN-g is to activate macrophages in opposition Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Contrast from IFN-g, IL-10 is considered inhibitory cytokine, important to an adequate balance between inflammatory responses. To analyse cytokine profile, particularly IFN-g and IL-10 of children with TB in Indonesia, a cross-sectional study was conducted at some hospitals and primary health care in Medan and Batubara, North Sumatera, Indonesia. Among 51 children with TB disease and 51 healthy children, found that IFN-g and IL-10 level were lower in TB patients compared to healthy children. Statistically significant decreased production of IFN-g level (p=0.042) was found in TB patients 9.41 (1.10-28.06) pg/ml contrast to healthy children 6.30 (1.30-89.76) pg/ml. Homologue finding of IL-10 level was also found in TB patients 4.93 (0.22-48.01) pg/ml and 4.93 (0.07-81.60) pg/ml in healthy children, but not statistically significant (p=0.784). High level of IL-10 was not proven to supressed the level production of IFN-g in TB patients.

Keywords: paediatric, tuberculosis, cytokine, interferon gamma, interleukin 10.