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Opportunistic intestinal protozoal infections in immunocompromised children

M S Noureldin1, A A Shaltout, E M El Hamshary

  • 1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology
|February 4, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Immunocompromised children with nephrotic syndrome or lymphomas exhibit altered T-cell subsets and increased parasitic infections. Cryptosporidium parvum was specifically linked to these cellular immunity defects.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Immunocompromised children are susceptible to opportunistic infections.
  • Cellular immunity, particularly T-cell subsets, plays a crucial role in host defense.
  • Parasitic infections can exacerbate immune deficiencies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in immunocompromised children.
  • To assess T-cell subset profiles in these children.
  • To explore the relationship between cellular immunity and parasitic infections.

Main Methods:

  • Stool examination using iodine stain and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining.
  • Flow cytometry for T-cell subset analysis (CD4 and CD8).
  • Comparison between 100 immunocompromised children and 100 controls.

Main Results:

  • Nephrotic syndrome and lymphoma patients showed decreased T-helper cells and increased suppressor T-cells.
  • Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Blastocystis hominis were more prevalent in patients.
  • Cryptosporidium parvum infections were exclusively found in patients with T-cell abnormalities.

Conclusions:

  • Immunocompromised children with nephrotic syndrome and lymphomas have impaired cellular immunity.
  • These immune defects are associated with a higher prevalence of specific intestinal parasitic infections.
  • Cryptosporidium parvum infection is a marker for significant T-cell subset abnormalities in this population.

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