[Changes in lymphocyte subsets and serum IFN-γ levels in children with toxoplasma infection]
Hai-Jun Zhang1, Chun-Qin Lu, Cai-Wen Fang
1Department of Pediatrics, Shaoxing Central Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312030, China. Sxfcw2123@126.com.
Insights
Newly diagnosed toxoplasma infection in children shows decreased CD4+ cells and increased CD8+ and NK cells. These immune changes, along with elevated serum interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), are significant in fighting toxoplasma infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Toxoplasma infection impacts cellular immunity.
- Understanding immune responses is key to managing toxoplasmosis.
Purpose:
- To investigate lymphocyte subsets and serum interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels in children with toxoplasma infection.
- To determine the significance of these immune markers in pediatric toxoplasmosis.
Summary:
- Newly diagnosed toxoplasma infection (TOX-IgM+) in children showed significantly lower CD4+ cell percentages and CD4+/CD8+ ratios compared to those with past infection (TOX-IgG+) and healthy controls.
- Conversely, TOX-IgM+ children exhibited higher CD8+ and NK cell percentages and elevated serum IFN-γ levels.
- A positive correlation was observed between CD8+ cell percentage and serum IFN-γ in the TOX-IgM+ group.
Impact:
- CD4+, CD8+, and NK cells, along with IFN-γ, play vital roles in the immune defense against toxoplasma.
- Findings contribute to understanding the immunological mechanisms of toxoplasmosis resistance.
Objective:
To study the changes and significance of lymphocyte sunsets and serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels in children with toxoplasma infection.
Methods:
Thirty-four children who were newly diagnosed with toxoplasma infection (TOX-IgM+ group) between January 2011 and April 2014, 12 children who had ever been diagnosed with toxoplasma infection (TOX-IgG+ group), and 54 healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The percentages of CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ and NK cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IFN-γ were measured using ELISA.
Results:
The percentages of CD4+ cells and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the TOX-IgM+ group were significantly lower than in the TOX-IgG+ and control groups, while the percentages of CD8+ and NK cells and serum IFN-γ levels were significantly higher than in the other two groups (P<0.05). The TOX-IgG+ group had higher serum IFN-γ levels than the control group (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of CD8+ cells and serum IFN-γ levels in the TOX-IgM+ group (r=0.756; P<0.05).
Conclusions:
CD4+, CD8+ and NK cells may play important roles in the resistance against toxoplasma infection by promoting the secretion of cytokines.
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