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Polymorphonuclear and monocyte functions in measles
U M Thatte1, P S Gangal, M R Kulkarni
1Department of Pharmacology, Seth G S Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Bombay, India.
Abstract:
The depression of immune responses during measles infection has been recognized since the early 20th century. Acute bacterial infections are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in measles. This study investigated the phagocytic and bactericidal or fungicidal capacities of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes during measles infections. When 14 children with measles were compared with 25 healthy controls, a significant depression in PMN and monocyte function was found. Of these 14 children, seven developed acute bacterial infections. These seven children were compared with 11 children who had acute bacterial infections without measles. It was found that PMN in patients with measles did not achieve an activated state, as expected with acute infections. Serum immunoglobulins were not altered in these patients. These results confirm previous reports of depressed phagocytic and bactericial capacities of PMN in measles, and further document that peripheral blood monocyte functions are also depressed in measles.
Insights
Measles infection impairs immune cells like polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes, increasing susceptibility to bacterial infections. This study confirms depressed immune cell function in children with measles, impacting their ability to fight secondary infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Immune suppression during measles infection is a long-recognized clinical observation.
- Acute bacterial infections are a primary cause of severe illness and death in measles patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of measles on the phagocytic and bactericidal/fungicidal functions of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes.
- To compare immune cell function in children with measles and secondary bacterial infections versus those with bacterial infections alone.
Main Methods:
- Compared phagocytic and bactericidal/fungicidal capacities of PMN and monocytes in 14 children with measles against 25 healthy controls.
- Assessed immune cell activation in 7 children with measles and bacterial infections, comparing them to 11 children with bacterial infections but no measles.
- Measured serum immunoglobulin levels.
Main Results:
- Children with measles showed significantly depressed PMN and monocyte function compared to healthy controls.
- PMN in measles patients with bacterial infections did not reach the expected activated state.
- Serum immunoglobulin levels remained unaltered in measles patients.
- Peripheral blood monocyte functions were also found to be depressed in measles.
Conclusions:
- Measles infection significantly impairs both PMN and monocyte immune functions.
- This immune dysfunction in measles contributes to the high incidence of severe secondary bacterial infections.
- Further research into immune modulation during measles is warranted to improve patient outcomes.