News in Physiological Sciences, Vol 1, 25-27, Copyright © 1986 by International Union of Physiological Sciences
Fever: A Hot Topic
MJ Kluger
Fever is the regulation of body temperature at an elevated "set point."
Contact with a variety of pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, will
result in the release of a small protein, endogenous pyrogen or interleukin
1, from the host's white blood cells. This protein circulates to the brain
where it is thought to raise the temperature set point via the production
of a prostaglandin. Fevers occur throughout the vertebrates. The
cold-blooded vertebrates (fishes, amphibians, reptiles) raise their body
temperature by behaviorally selecting a warmer microhabitat. Warm-blooded
vertebrates (birds and mammals) use both physiological and behavioral means
to raise core temperature. Over the past decade data from both in vitro and
in vivo studies support the hypothesis that moderate fevers are beneficial
to the host;that is, fever as evolved as an adaptation to reduce the
severity of infection.
