Features of CD4+ lymphocytes apoptosis in children with cryptosporidiosis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the features of CD4+ lymphocytes apoptosis in children with cryptosporidiosis. Feces for the detection of cryptosporidium and venous blood for the study of lymphocytes apoptosis were the material of the study. Mononuclear leukocytes were isolated from venous whole blood and cultured in a complete culture medium. Cells were incubated for 24 hours with inducers of the receptor (TNFα) and mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis (dexamethasone).Cryptosporidia have been found in 35% of acute intestinal infections in children. The number of lymphocytes with cytoflurimetric signs of apoptosis in the group of cryptosporidiosis-positive patients did not differ from that in patients without cryptosporidiosis (p=0.421). There were no intergroup differences in the number of CD4+ lymphocytes expressing the Fas receptor on their surface (p=0.462). In cultures incubated in the presence of dexamethasone, a decrease in the number of apoptotically altered CD4+ lymphocytes was registered only in the group of cryptosporidiosispositive patients (p=0.028).The study showed that in cryptosporidiosis, the sensitivity of CD4+ cells to the induction of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis changes in favor of slowing down this variant of cell death.