Related Experiment Videos
[Long-term study of various immunologic functions in children with chronic nonspecific lung diseases]
Insights
Children with chronic non-specific respiratory diseases (CNSRD) often have immunodeficiencies, particularly MALT insufficiency. Early detection of these immune issues can improve the prognosis for respiratory conditions in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Diagnostics
Context:
- Chronic non-specific respiratory diseases (CNSRD) encompass conditions like recurrent bronchitis and asthma in children.
- Immunologic functions play a critical role in the development and progression of pediatric respiratory illnesses.
- Longitudinal studies are essential for understanding the complex interplay between immunity and chronic lung disease in children.
Purpose:
- To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic relevance of various immunologic parameters in children with CNSRD.
- To identify specific immunodeficiencies associated with increased risk and poorer outcomes in pediatric chronic lung diseases.
- To evaluate the utility of serum and secretory immunoglobulins, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and cellular immunity markers.
Summary:
- A 18-year study analyzed immunologic parameters in 713 children (0-14 years) with CNSRD.
- Serum and secretory immunoglobulins and alpha-1-antitrypsin levels were most relevant for diagnosis and prognosis.
- MALT insufficiency in early childhood emerged as a significant risk factor for CNSRD, especially obstructive lung diseases.
Impact:
- Findings highlight MALT insufficiency as a key risk factor for pediatric chronic obstructive lung diseases.
- Abnormalities in immunoglobulin and alpha-1-antitrypsin levels correlate with disease severity and prognosis.
- The study suggests potential for targeted immunologic screening to improve management of CNSRD in children.
Abstract:
For 18 years we have analysed several parameters directly or indirectly involved in immunologic functions in 713 children (age: 0-14 years) suffering from CNSRD (frequently relapsing bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, frequently relapsing or chronic obstructive bronchitis, asthma bronchiale, cystic fibrosis). In all 6,067 data were evaluated. The estimation of the immunoglobulins (in serum and secretions) and the serum level of alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha-1-AT) had the highest relevance for diagnosis and prognosis of CNSRD. Immunodeficiencies were detected in form of humoral antibody deficiency syndromes as well as local secretory IgA deficiency (MALT insufficiency). The results suggest that the MALT-insufficiency during early childhood is a high risk factor for the development of CNSRD, especially of obstructive lung diseases. In chronic bronchitis the mean levels of serum-IgA were significantly increased (p less than 0.001) and reactively increased serum mean levels of IgM and/or IgG were observed in some chronic bronchitis forms but not during the whole childhood. In homocygote and heterocygote defective alpha-1-AT types the prognosis of chronic lung disease (chronic obstructive bronchitis and/or bronchial asthma) was especially poor. Despite BCG vaccination in the neonatal period most children had negative tuberculin skin tests. This suggests that also the cellular immunofunctions may be depressed in children with CNSRD. Blood group, isoagglutinins, Zn and Fe serum levels had only limited importance for diagnosis and prognosis of the CNSRD. We recommend the estimation of these parameters in special cases only.