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Leukocyte activation patterns in hospitalized children: comparing SARS-CoV-2, bacterial infections, and inflammatory

Léa Domitien Payet1,2, Anne Sophie Bedin2, Émilie Desselas1

  • 1Department of General Pediatrics, Infectiology and Clinical Immunology, Arnaud de Villeneuve UHC, 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston GIRAUD, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.

Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|April 22, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Leukocyte analysis reveals distinct immune cell activation patterns in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, bacterial infections, or inflammatory diseases. This helps differentiate between these conditions in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Flow Cytometry

Background:

  • Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults involves hyperinflammatory responses mediated by monocytes and neutrophils.
  • Understanding immune cell activation in children with acute febrile illnesses is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess and differentiate leukocyte activation patterns in children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, bacterial infections, or inflammatory diseases.
  • To identify specific immune cell markers for distinguishing between these pediatric conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to analyze leukocyte activation markers in 55 children with acute fever.
  • Markers analyzed included CD169 and HLA-DR on monocytes, CD64 and CD16 on neutrophils, and CD38 on TCD8 lymphocytes.
  • Patients were categorized into SARS-CoV-2 infection, bacterial infection, and inflammatory disease groups.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of CD169 on monocytes and CD38 on T lymphocytes was observed in all SARS-CoV-2 infected children.
  • CD64 overexpression on neutrophils was characteristic of bacterial infections and inflammatory diseases.
  • Decreased HLA-DR expression on monocytes was noted in bacterial infection and inflammatory pathology groups.

Conclusions:

  • Leukocyte analysis using specific cell surface markers can effectively distinguish between SARS-CoV-2 infections, bacterial infections, and inflammatory diseases in children.
  • Distinct immune activation profiles provide valuable diagnostic insights for pediatric febrile illnesses.

Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2biomarkerschildleukocyte activation

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