PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in fever is controversial. Some studies have indicated that TNF-alpha acts as a cryogen to inhibit fever, while others suggest that TNF-alpha is an endogenous pyrogen which mediates fever.

Detailed explanation-2: -Endogenous pyrogens, which include interleukin 1 (IL-1) IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are released into the circulation during severe infections and stimulate specialized endothelial cells in the brain capillaries to produce PGE2.

Detailed explanation-3: -Good examples of pyrogen-producing gram-negative bacteria are Escherichia coli (E. Coli), Proteus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella (Dixon, 2001).

Detailed explanation-4: -Two of these pyrogenic cytokines are called interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6. They travel through the bloodstream until they reach a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.