Immunological Parameters In Children Research Articles

Effect of highly-active antiretroviral therapy on neuroendocrine regulation of immunogenesis in HIV-infected children

Comparative assay has been made against the parameters of the immune and endocrine systems in 84 HIV-infected children born from HIV-infected mothers. One group of analyzed children (36 patients) did not receive highly-active antiretroviral therapy. Another group (48 patients) received different variants of highly-active antiretroviral therapy. Children aged from 1 to 182 months were examined. Venous blood samples taken from young patients were used to determine leukocyte blood composition considering the relative (%) and absolute number of blood cell counts. Hormone concentration was determined concurrently. CD-molecule expression by mononuclear cells was registered using flow cytofluorimeter. Plasma viral load in HIV-infected children was quantitatively detected with RT-PCR. Statistically significant lowering in the levels of free thyroxin, cortisol and progesterone was observed in children against a background of highly-active antiretroviral therapy as compared to those without HAART use. Correlation assay between the hormone level and the immunological parameters in children not receiving the antiretroviral preparations revealed marked positive correlations among the somatotropic hormone level and CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ absolute numbers. Similar positive correlation with absolute T-subset number was found against free T4. The progesterone level also positively correlated with relative CD3+ and CD8+ numbers and showed negative correlation with absolute CD4+ amount. There is another positive correlation with relative T-subset number against the dehydroepiandrosterone level in the group of children without antiretroviral preparation therapy. As for HIV-infected group of children, against a background of highly-active antiretroviral therapy, the results of correlation assay between the hormone concentrations and cell parameters were found to significantly vary. There were observed positive correlations between the levels of cortisol and CD3+ (%), cortisol and CD8+ (%), estradiol and CD4/CD8, progesterone and absolute CD8+ number. As with children not receiving the antiretroviral preparations marked positive relation was revealed between the concentration of free thyroxin and absolute values of CD4+. Negative correlations were recorded between the estradiol level and the relative CD3+ numbers. Against a background of applying the antiretroviral preparations the correlation assay conducted between the viral RNA concentration (lg of copy number of mRNA/ml) and analyzed endocrinological parameters was found to have marked positive correlation with HIV concentration demonstrated by estradiol and testosterone. During the antiretroviral therapy, however, the negative correlation between the thyrotropin level and lg concentration of viral RNA was observed. Analytical results of correlation among the viral RNA concentration (lg copy number of mRNA/ml) and analyzed immunological parameters in this group of children evidence for specific ‘normalization’ due to highly-active antiretroviral therapy as the only positive correlation with virus concentration was detected for CD4+T subsets. Therefore, the alteration in endocrine system state in children born from HIV-infected mothers could be of great significance while monitoring the systemic regulation of the immunogenesis.

Assessment of basic immunological parameters in children with seizure disorders during acute infection

Introduction and objective: The objective of the study was to assess basic immunological parameters in children presenting with seizure disorders during acute infection. Materials and methods: The study was conducted from 19 January 2017 to 5 December 2020 at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology in Poznań, and involved 121 patients aged 5–188 months: 64 with febrile seizures and 11 with generalised epilepsy. The control group comprised 46 patients with delayed psychomotor and intellectual development, pervasive developmental disorders, and neurodeficits. A complete blood count with differential white cell count, inflammatory markers, immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA, IgM), and the aetiology of infection were analysed using standard laboratory methods in all the cases. Results: Lower IgG was found in the febrile seizures group, and lower IgA was observed in the simple febrile seizure group compared to the patients after epileptic seizures. Patients with first-time simple febrile seizures showed lower IgG levels than the control group. Patients with generalised epilepsy and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) showed lower IgG than the non-infected subjects. Patients with first-time complex febrile seizures had the lowest lymphocyte count compared to the control group. The lowest neutrophil count and total leukocyte count were found in HHV-6-infected patients with simple febrile seizures compared to the non-infected patients. Conclusions: Monitoring basic haematological parameters and immunoglobulin levels is an effective strategy in the diagnosis of seizure disorders in children. Screening tests provide an initial quantitative assessment of humoral and cellular responses, as well as impaired phagocytosis.

Clinical and immunological features in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2.

MIS-C is characterized by intense immune activation and increased production of cytokines. The aim of our study was to analyse the changes of cellular and humoral immune responses in children with MIS-C, depending on the severity of the disease. To conduct the study, the results of clinical, hematological and immunological parameters in children with severe and extremely severe MIS-C were compared. A total of 50 patients participated in the study, which were divided into 3 groups, of which: 20 children with extremely severe MIS-C treated in the ICU (MIS-C ICU "+"); 15 children with severe MIS-C, but without the need for hospitalization in the ICU (MIS-C ICU "-"); 15 children who had COVID-19 and absence MIS-C (MIS-C "-") made up the control group. In patients with MIS-C hospitalized in the ICU, heart and liver damage, hematological changes, and the development of severe complications such as edematous syndrome, polyserositis, DIC, and cardiogenic shock were statistically more common. Both groups of children with MIS-C had CD3+ T-cell lymphopenia and a decrease in CD95 expression. In the group of children with MIS-C hospitalized in the ICU, a significant increase in the relative number of B-lymphocytes, CD3-HLA-DR+ and CD25 and decrease of NK-cells was observed. The risk of hospitalization in the ICU in children with MIS-C is associated with more profound immune dysregulation, as evidenced by our data. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Effect of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection on Selected Immunological Parameters in Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders with different etiologies, pathogeneses and clinical pictures, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to abnormal insulin secretion or action. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents, accounting for about 90% of diabetes in the population under the age of 18. The etiopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes is multifactorial. The disease occurs as a result of the interaction of three factors: genetic predisposition, environmental factors and the immune response. Research in recent years has focused on the involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of type I diabetes. The goals of treating type 1 diabetes include maintaining blood-glucose, fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels; therefore, the main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of EBV infection on the activation of selected immune cells, fructosamine levels and HbA1c levels in children with type I diabetes. Based on our study, we found a lower percentage of CD8+ T lymphocytes with expression of the CD69 molecule in patients with anti-VCA antibodies in the IgG class, and a lower percentage of CD8+ T lymphocytes with expression of the CD25+ molecule in patients with anti-EBNA-1 antibodies in the IgG class, which may indicate limited control of the immune system during EBV infection in patients. There was a lower percentage of CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes secreting IL-4 in the study group, indicating that a deficiency in IL-4 production may be related to the development of type 1 diabetes. There was an increase in the percentage of CD4+CD3+IL-10 lymphocytes in the study group with anti-VCA antibodies present in the IgG class and anti-EBNA-1 antibodies in the IgG class compared to the patients without antibodies. In addition, there was a significant increase in fructosamine levels and higher glycated hemoglobin levels in the study group with antibodies to EBV antigens. In addition, an increase in the percentage of T lymphocytes with a CD4+CD3+IL-17+ phenotype in the patients with anti-VCA IgG antibodies was confirmed, and higher HbA1c levels may suggest that EBV infection is accompanied by an increase in IL-17 secretion.

Изменения иммунологических показателей при использовании комбинированного физиотерапевтического метода в комплексном лечении атопического дерматита у детей

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in immunological parameters in children with atopic dermatitis when using hydrotherapy, non-selective chromotherapy, and intravenous laser irradiation of blood against the background of basic drug therapy. Materials and methods. The work was performed with the participation of 164 patients with moderate lichenoid and erythematous-squamous forms of atopic dermatitis aged 4 to 15 years with a frequency of exacerbations from 3 to 4 times a year with a tendency to increase their duration. The patients were divided into 5 groups: the first group received basic drug therapy (BDT), the second - hydrotherapy and BDT, the third - non-selective chromotherapy and BDT, the fourth - low-intensity laser irradiation of blood and BDT, the fifth - hydrotherapy, non-selective chromotherapy, low-intensity laser irradiation of blood and BDT. The content of total IgE, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-18 and TNF-α in the blood serum of patients was determined by enzyme immunoassay before treatment, as well as 1 and 3 months after its start. Results. Before the start of treatment, the values of all the studied indicators in comparison with healthy individuals were significantly increased (by 2.1-3.1 times). In patients of the first and second groups, the level of IgE and cytokines did not change significantly after 1 and 3 months from the start of treatment in comparison with the indicators before the start of treatment. In the third group, after 1 month from the start of treatment, the group experienced a significant (by 11-20%) decrease in IgE and cytokine levels, which persisted after 3 months of follow-up. In the fourth group, the decrease in the studied indicators after 1 month was even more significant and did not change significantly. The greatest decrease in indicators after 1 and 3 months was observed in the fifth group of patients (by 40-62%) who received basic drug therapy in combination with hydrotherapy, non-selective chromotherapy and intravenous laser irradiation of blood. Conclusion. In children with moderate atopic dermatitis, drug-based basic treatment combined with non-selective chromotherapy and intravenous laser irradiation of blood contributes to the effective correction of immunological reactivity for a long period of time.

Современные представления о механизмах иммунной защиты при новой коронавирусной инфекции

The article, which is a review of the Russian and foreign literature on the problem of immunopathogenesis of the new coronovirus infection, reflects the comparative aspects of the adaptive and innate immune response to infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 in children and adults. Immune disorders in individuals with varying degrees of severity and course of the disease were analyzed. Immunological parameters in children with various clinical course of COVID-19 were described. The features of immunopathogenesis in pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome with various course are presented. Features depending on the HLA phenotype were analyzed. A suggestion was made that S1 antigenemia as a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the gastrointestinal tract is an important cause of the pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome development. Disputable questions of treatment are presented.

The effect of cytomegalovirus on clinical and paraclinical as well as immune parameters of children with rotavirus infection

The aim is to evaluate the effect of cytomegalovirus on clinical and paraclinical as well as immunological parameters in children with rotavirus infection (RVI). Materials and methods. 50 children aged one to three years, patients with moderate and severe intestinal infections of rotavirus etiology were examined. All children were examined for herpes virus infections types 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the level of specific Ig G and Ig M for herpes viruses types 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and in the case of a positive test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) determined the presence of DNA (qualitatively) of these herpesviruses. Group 1 (mono-RVI), which was taken as a reference, included 33 children in whom no infection with any of these viruses of the herpes group was detected. Group 2 included 17 patients who underwent RVI on the background of CMV infection, the presence of infection with other viruses of the herpes group was excluded. Immune response parameters (CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 8+, CD 16+, CD 22+, Ig A, Ig M, Ig G, IL 1β, 4, TNF-α) in the acute period of the disease and in the period of convalescence were analyzed. Qualitative indicators were given in the form of absolute and relative (%) value. Significance of differences was determined using Pearson’s χ2 test (Pearson’s Chi-squared test). Quantitative indicators were given in the form of median (Me) and values of lower (LQ) and upper (UQ) quartiles. The significance of differences in quantitative indicators in two unrelated groups was determined using the Mann–Whitney U-test. The threshold value of the confidence level was taken as 0.05. Results. The analysis of the obtained data allows to establish that in the acute period of RVI infection in children with CMV leads to lower figures of temperature reaction, lower vomiting rate, prolongation of hospitalization, along with decrease in leukocytes, CD 16+ (%) cells and immunoregulatory index (CD 4+/CD 8+) against the background of increased levels of monocytes, CD 8+ (%) T-lymphocytes, concentrations of IL-4 and TNF-α. During convalescence, the presence of CMV is associated with an increase in the duration of fever and diarrhea, an increase in monocytes, CD 8+ (%) T cells, concentrations of IL-4, TNF-α and lower figures of immunoregulatory index, CD 16+ (%), CD 22+ (%) T cells and Ig M. Conclusions. Latent cytomegalovirus infection in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis significantly affects a number of clinical and paraclinical as well as immune parameters, which leads to a decrease in the intensity of clinical manifestations in the acute period of the disease and the prolongation of some symptoms during convalescence.

Vitamin D and Immunological Patterns of Allergic Diseases in Children.

Vitamin D, in addition to its superior role as a factor regulating calcium-phosphate metabolism, shows wide effects in other processes in the human body, including key functions of the immune system. This is due to the presence of vitamin D receptors in most cells of the human body. In our study, we aimed to assess whether there is a correlation between vitamin D content and the clinical course of allergic diseases as well as establish their immunological parameters in children. We found that vitamin D deficiency was significantly more frequent in the group of children with an allergic disease than in the control group (p = 0.007). Statistically significant higher vitamin D concentrations in blood were observed in the group of children with a mild course of the disease compared to children with a severe clinical course (p = 0.03). In the group of children with vitamin D deficiency, statistically significant lower percentages of NKT lymphocytes and T-regulatory lymphocytes were detected compared to the group of children without deficiency (respectively, p = 0.02 and p = 0.05), which highlights a potential weakness of the immune system in these patients. Furthermore, statistically higher levels of interleukin-22 were observed in the group of children with vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.01), suggesting a proinflammatory alert state. In conclusion, these results confirm the positive relationship between the optimal content of vitamin D and the lesser severity of allergic diseases in children, establishing weak points in the immune system caused by vitamin D deficiency in children.

Advancing diagnostics of chronic paradontitis in children

Chronic periodontitis in children and adolescents holds a lead place in morbidity pattern of dental pathology. Development of chronic periodontitis is accompanied by emergence of various complications in the maxillofacial region, leading to bite disturbance being of high relevance for pediatric patients. These and other complications are related to immune system immaturity in children and adolescents as well as virulence of microorganisms. However, the immunological changes developing in children with chronic periodontitis remain poorly studied. The aim of the work was to improve diagnostics of chronic periodontitis in children and adolescents based on informative parameters of systemic immunity and discriminative models taking into account such changes. We examined systemic immunity in 127 children and adolescents with chronic periodontitis, aged 12 to 16 years, by using flow cytometry and enzyme immunoassay. In control group, age-matched 108 patients lacking overt somatic and dental pathology were enrolled. Generation of mathematical models was carried out by using a discriminative approach, whereas informativeness was assessed in accordance with generally accepted formula. Relative and absolute count of peripheral blood CD13+ cells exert the peak informativeness holding the first and second ranking places with marked dominance of informativeness value for assessing relative amount of CD13+ cells are among immunological parameters in children with chronic periodontitis. High informativeness value evidencing about pronounced intensity of developed pathological changes and diagnostic significance for chronic periodontitis in children is intrinsic to the relative percentage of peripheral blood CD8+ cells being slightly lower than that one in absolute count of CD13+ cells. On the other hand, humoral immune-parameters were of lowest informative value among all analyzed immunological parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis serum referring to all antibody classes. Generated discriminative models for the most valuable immunological parameters ensure adequate medical diagnostics for chronic periodontitis in childhood. Diagnostic sensitivity for created mathematical models was high and reached 0.94, whereas diagnostic specificity — 0.92. Immunological examination of patients improves diagnostics of chronic periodontitis. It was found that patients with chronic periodontitis had lowered immune status peaking in decreased absolute and relative count of peripheral blood CD3+ lymphocytes. Finally, parameters of humoral immunity in children with chronic periodontitis were also reduced.

CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF ROTAVIRUS GASTROENTERITIS IN CHILDREN INFECTED WITH HERPES VIRUSES


 
 
 The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of clinical and immunological parameters in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis without background infection and those infected by herpes viruses. It was established that in children with rotavirus infection (RVI) on the background of infection by herpes viruses occurs with less pronounced symptoms of intoxication and a less frequency of vomiting at the onset of the disease, in combination with longer duration (more long period) of fever and diarrheal syndrome. Such features are probably associated with the formation of a hypergical regime of the functioning of the immune response in the group of patients with background infection by herpes viruses, in contrast to patients with mono- RVI, in whom the immune system functions in a normal compensation mode.
 
 

THE EFFECTS OF ALUMINUM EXPOSURE ON IMMUNE STATUS IN CHILDREN WITH FUNCTIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM DISORDERS

Aim To estimate the prevalence of functional cardiovascular system disorders and immunological parameters in children living in the Irkutsk Region, a technogenic region of Southern Siberia.Methods A set of clinical, laboratory and instrumental, statistical and analytical methods were used in the study. Immunological parameters and the presence of functional cardiovascular system disorders were assessed in 63 children aged 5–11 years living in the technogenic region with aluminum exposure. The study group included children (n = 31) with functional changes in the cardiovascular system. Children (n = 32) without any functional changes in the cardiovascular system were enrolled in the control group. The functional status of the cardiovascular system was evaluated with the electrocardiography and physical examination. The immune parameters were measured with the flow cytometry and enzyme allegrosorbent testing. The analytical study of the chemical changes in the biomedia induced by aluminum exposure followed the national guidelines.Results Children permanently residing in the technogenic region with aluminum exposure suffer from mild anomalies of the heart development. These anomalies are associated reliably with the diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs involving the immune mechanism. The analytical study of the chemical changes in the biomedia showed that the study group has significantly elevated aluminum levels in blood and urine. Immune alterations have been found in the study, including a significant increase in the TNFR receptor, Bcl-2 protein, Treg cell differentiation clusters (CD4+CD25+CD127-) and CD3+CD25+. A significantly increased level of specific sensitization by the IgG criterion was established.Conclusion The study reported that functional cardiovascular system disorders among children living in the technogenic region with aluminum exposure are associated with alteration in the immune system. These alterations suggest the presence of the imbalance between apoptotic regulation and the initiation of adjuvant sensitivity to man-made haptens (aluminum).

Analysis of clinical and immunological parameters in children with joint pathology

For the purpose of comparative analysis of clinical and immunological parameters in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n=56) and reactive arthritis (n=22) we determined the concentration of individual Th1- (IL-1β, IL-6, INF-γ), Th2- (IL-4) and Th17- associated interleukins (IL-17) in the blood serum. We conducted clinical examination of the patients, taking into account the duration of the disease, the amount of drug therapy and indicators of functional status. The concentration of interleukins in the serum was determined by enzyme immunoassay using ready-made commercial kits. We found that the course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and reactive arthritis is characterized by a certain unidirectionality of disorders in the system of Th1-and Th2-associated cytokines. There were indentified key correlations between the studied interleukins for the diseases concerned. We proposed an interrelated analysis of immunological activity indicators, which allowed simplifying the differential diagnostics of articular form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and reactive arthritis.Conflict of interest: The authors of this article confirmed the lack of conflict of interest and financial support, which should be reported.

Дослідження динаміки показників імунного статусу у дітей з множинним карієсом на фоні захворювань шлунково-кишкового тракту у різні терміни лікування

The level of immunoglobulins and lysozyme in the oral fluid deviates from the norm at presence of the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), which is likely to be a trigger in the development of rampant caries in children. A detailed study of this aspect has made it possible to directly influence the inhibition of the pathological process.The aim of the study – to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of a complex of therapeutic and prophylactic measures aimed at increasing the resistance of the oral cavity in children with rampant caries on the background of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in 12–14 days and 6 months after treatment; compare the data with these before treatment.Materials and Methods. The article presents the results of the study of the dynamics of immunological parameters in children with rampant caries on the background of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The increase of the indexes of immunoglobulins A, G, secretory immunoglobulin A, lysozyme in the oral liquid of the children of the main, comparative and control groups was determined by the method of radial immunodiffusion in Mancini agar and agar diffusion method containing 0.05 % biomass powder Micrococcus lysodeikticus.Results and Discussion. As a result of the proposed treatment and prophylactic complex, we managed to achieve a significant improvement in the immunological status of oral fluid in children with rampant caries on the background of GI tract diseases. Thus, after treatment (12–14 days), the content of IgA in the oral liquid of the children of the main group increased by 80.0 % higher in relation to the data before treatment. At the same time, in children of the main group, the decrease in the IgG concentration, which was lower than the data before treatment, was studied at 26.32 %. At 12–14 days after treatment in children with multiple caries, against the background of gastrointestinal lesions of the main group, an increase in sIgA and lysozyme was observed, which was 39.13 % and 23.85 % higher, respectively, for the data before treatment.Conclusions. The complex of therapeutic and prophylactic measures introduced and implemented in clinical practice causes a pronounced caries prophylactic effect and improves the state of hygiene, increases the acidity of the enamel and mineralizing properties of the oral liquid, normalizes microbiocenosis and immunological status, which in general optimizes the processes of remineralization.

Changes in the immune status in children with atopic asthma after ultrasound therapy

The aim of the research was to study the dynamics of immunological parameters in children with atopic asthma after application of ultrasound therapy on the area of the projection of the thymus. Material and methods. The study involved 43 children aged 5 to 18 years: 23 patients with atopic asthma, 20 children of the control group. Determines the level of the following indicators of leukocytes and lymphocytes: СD3+, CD4+, СD4+CD25+, CD19+CD23++, CD203с+CD63+, CD203с+IgE+, FcεRI+, CD23+IgE+. Results. А statistically significant decrease in the level of СD4+CD25+ lymphocytes, CD19+CD23++ lymphocytes is observed after exposure to ultrasound in the projection area of the thymus. Low levels of СD4+CD25+ lymphocytes persisted after 3 months from the start of the study, the level of CD19+CD23++ lymphocytes returned to the initial value after 82-90 days. It was found a statistically significant reduction CD203с+CD63+ basophils, CD203с+IgE+ of basophils after ultrasound therapy, but then there was an increase of these parameters to the initial values. Statistically significant differences it is not revealed in the analysis of eosinophil phenotype. Conclusion. The findings of the study data demonstrate the effect of ultrasound on the parameters of the immune status in children with bronchial asthma.

Immunological parameters in assessing the risk of decompensation in children with mental retardation

To analyze the correlation between clinical and immunological parameters in children with mental retardation (MR) in order to explore the possibilities of using immunological data in assessing the severity of patient's condition and predicting a risk of decompensation, exacerbation of mental disorders comorbid to MR. Seventy-three school children, aged 8-17 years, mean age 12,6±2,4 years, with MR of different genesis and 64 physically and mentally healthy children (control group) of the same age and sex were studied clinically and immunologically. The degree of clinical severity of MR was evaluated by CGI-S scale (the Clinical global impression-severity), the level of intellectual disabilities was evaluated by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Enzymatic activity of leukocyte elastase; functional activity of α1-proteinase inhibitor; levels of autoantibodies to neurospecific antigens - S-100b and myelin basic protein were analyzed in the serum of patients and healthy children. The activation of the immune system was associated with comorbid to MR current psychopathological disturbances that were more severe, persistent and required long-term maintenance treatment. Analysis of immunological parameters can be used in children with MR treated in outpatient network as an additional test for the detection of mental state decompensation.

Influence of secondary immune deficiency syndrome on the course of atopic dermatitis in children

Allergological and immunological parameters in children with atopic dermatitis complicated by secondary immune deficiency syndrome are presented. It was found that concomitant secondary immune deficiency syndrome, which manifested by frequent acute respiratory viral infections, significantly weigh down the clinical features of atopic dermatitis in children.

The possibility of using immunological parameters for the evaluation of the clinical state of patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia

To compare clinical and immunological parameters in children with schizophrenia and to analyze the possibility of using them in the assessment of the pathological process activity. We examined 62 patients, 39 boys and 23 girls, aged from 4 to 17 years, with childhood-onset schizophrenia. Mental state of the patients was assessed using a psychopathological method and with PANSS and CGI scales. The activity of leukocyte elastase (LE) and alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI) was measured by spectrophotometric method. ELISA was used to determine the level of autoantibodies to neuroantigenes to S-100B and basic myelin protein. The activation of innate immunity assessed by the activity of LE and α1-PI and adaptive immunity (levels of autoantibodies to neuroantigenes to S-100B and basic myelin protein) was identified. Significant correlations of the level of immune system activation with the severity of patient's state on СGI-S (r=0.64, p=0.000001) as well as scores on the PANSS negative symptom subscale (r=0.34, p=0.0077) were found. The results suggest the possibility of using these immunological parameters for the objectification of clinical state of children with schizophrenia.

Phenotype of NK Cells Determined on the Basis of Selected Immunological Parameters in Children Treated due to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most frequent pediatric malignancy. The chemotherapy for ALL is associated with a profound secondary immune deficiency.We evaluated the number and phenotype of natural killer (NK) cells at diagnosis, after the intensive chemotherapy and following the completion of the entire treatment for patients with ALL. The fraction, absolute number, and percentage of NK cells expressing interferon-γ were determined in full blood samples. The fraction of NK cells expressing CD158a, CD158b, perforin, A, B, and K granzymes was examined in isolated NK cells.We have shown that patients assessed at ALL diagnosis showed significantly lower values of the fraction of NK cells and percentage of NK cells with the granzyme A expression. Additionally, the absolute number of NK cells, the expression of CD158a, CD158b, perforin, and granzyme A were significantly lower in patients who completed intensive chemotherapy. Also, there was a significantly higher fraction of NK cells expressing granzyme K in patients who completed the therapy.Abnormalities of NK cells were found at all stages of the treatment; however, the most pronounced changes were found at the end of intensive chemotherapy.

Clinical and Immunological parameters in children with recurrent infections and deficient antibody responses to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Clinical and Immunological parameters in children with recurrent infections and deficient antibody responses to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

The Change of Asthma-associated Immunological Parameters in Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection

Background. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), an atypical pathogen, is increasingly recognized as a common and important pathogen. Previous studies showed that M. pneumoniae infection may play a role in asthmatic mechanisms based on evidence collected from peripheral blood or sputum of patients or animal models. However, evidence reported from the airways of patients has been rare. Objective. To estimate the role of M. pneumoniae infection in asthma by measuring the immunological parameters from peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in pediatric patients with mycoplasma pneumonia. Methods. A total of 30 patients with mycoplasma pneumonia and 37 patients without M. pneumoniae infection undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy were reviewed. The peripheral blood cell count, immunoglobulins (Ig), BALF cell count, and other clinical and laboratory data were reviewed and analyzed. Results. There were significantly more patients with raised basophil counts in the M. pneumoniae group than that in the control group (p = 0.033). Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, and IgG levels in the M. pneumoniae group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p = 0.008, p = 0.011, and p = 0.019, respectively). The percentage of eosinophils in BALF cells was in the range 0 to 10% in M. pneumoniae patients, while it ranged between 0 and 4% in the control group with a significant difference (p = 0.043). In the M. pneumoniae group, we found that the percentage of eosinophils in the BALF cells was positively correlated with age, the percentage of peripheral eosinophils, and BALF lymphocytes (r = 0.298, p = 0.030; r = 0.341, p = 0.014; r = 0.387, p = 0.006; respectively) and negatively correlated with total peripheral white blood cell (r = −0.387, p = 0.005). Conclusion. These results suggest that M. pneumonia infection is associated with the asthma mechanism, especially in older children.