Cytochrome c and tumor necrosis factor-alpha values in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with influenza-associated encephalopathy.

Cytochrome c and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were measured in serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples from 10 patients with influenza-associated encephalopathy. In the acute exacerbation phase, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cytochrome c values were high in patients with a poor prognosis. In the convalescent phase, cerebrospinal fluid cytochrome c values increased remarkably in patients with subsequent brain atrophy.