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Cell-mediated immune responses in malnourished host
Insights
Malnutrition significantly impairs cell-mediated immunity in children, indicated by low T cell counts. Nutritional therapy effectively restores immune function and DNCB skin test responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Cell-mediated immunity is crucial for child health.
- Malnutrition is a prevalent issue affecting children globally.
- Understanding the immune status of malnourished children is vital for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cell-mediated immune response in children aged 6 months to 5 years with varying nutritional statuses.
- To assess the impact of malnutrition, specifically marasmus and kwashiorkor, on T cell counts and function.
- To evaluate the efficacy of dietary therapy in restoring immune function.
Main Methods:
- Assessed nutritional status using the Wellcome classification in 100 children.
- Measured absolute lymphocyte count, small lymphocyte percentage, and T cell counts (absolute and percentage).
- Utilized the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin test to evaluate cell-mediated immunity.
Main Results:
- Malnourished children exhibited significantly lower absolute lymphocyte and T cell counts (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively), with kwashiorkor showing the most severe depression.
- Only 39% of malnourished children had a DNCB skin reaction grade of 2+ compared to 100% of controls.
- Following 4-6 weeks of dietary therapy, T cell counts normalized, and over 75% of children showed normal DNCB skin test responses.
Conclusions:
- Malnutrition significantly depresses cell-mediated immunity in children.
- Dietary therapy is effective in reversing immune deficits caused by malnutrition.
- Restoration of T cell counts and DNCB skin test reactivity indicates successful immune recovery.
Abstract:
One hundred children in the age group 6 months to 5 years were investigated for cell-mediated immune response in relation to their nutrition. The nutritional status was assessed by the Wellcome classification. The majority (54 per cent) of children had marasmus. Absolute lymphocyte count was found to be significantly low (P less than 0.01) in all malnourished groups except in mild forms of undernutrition. Small lymphocytes were also found to be significantly decreased (P less than 0.001) in malnourished children. A significant depression (P less than 0.001) was observed in the percentage and absolute T cells in all the malnourished children with kwashiorkor who showed the maximum depression of counts. All the control children showed DNCB skin reactions above grade 2+ while only 39 per cent of malnourished children showed reaction of this grade. After 4-6 weeks of dietary therapy, T cell counts were comparable with control values and DNCB skin test returned to normal in more than 75 per cent of cases.