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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Inflammatory cytokine responses in pediatric tuberculosis with or without SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity
Nathella Pavan Kumar1, Sarath Balaji2, Poorna Ganga Devi1
1ICMR - National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India.
Insights
Children with tuberculosis (TB) and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity showed distinct inflammatory cytokine profiles at diagnosis, with elevated IFN-γ, IL-2, TNFα, IL-1α, and IL-6. These differences diminished during treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in endemic regions.
- The co-occurrence of TB and SARS-CoV-2 infection in children presents complex immunological questions.
- Understanding the interplay between these infections is crucial for effective management and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and compare the inflammatory cytokine profiles in children diagnosed with TB.
- To investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity on these inflammatory responses.
- To explore the longitudinal changes in cytokine levels during TB treatment in relation to SARS-CoV-2 status.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 60 children with TB, divided into two groups: SARS-CoV-2 seropositive (CoV2+) and seronegative (CoV2-).
- Cytokine levels (including IFN-γ, IL-2, TNFα, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18) were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-diagnosis.
- Correlation analysis was performed between cytokine levels and SARS-CoV-2 IgG spike protein levels.
Main Results:
- At baseline, CoV2+ children exhibited significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNFα, IL-1α, IL-6) and lower levels of IL-1β and IL-18 compared to CoV2- children.
- No significant differences in cytokine profiles were observed between the groups at 3 and 6 months.
- Cytokine levels generally decreased over the 6-month treatment period in both groups, with a positive correlation between most cytokines and SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels at baseline and 3 months in the CoV2+ group.
Conclusions:
- This study provides novel insights into the distinct inflammatory responses in children with co-existing TB and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.
- The findings highlight the transient nature of SARS-CoV-2-associated inflammatory changes in the context of TB treatment.
- This research contributes to understanding the immunopathogenesis of dual infections in children and may guide future therapeutic strategies.
Objectives:
To characterize the inflammatory cytokine profiles in children with TB in the presence and absence of SARS-CoV2 seropositivity.
Methods:
This study evaluated cytokine responses in two groups of children with TB: CoV2+ (TB and SARS-CoV2 seropositive) and CoV2- (TB and SARS-CoV2 seronegative). Each group had 30 children, and cytokine levels were measured at baseline, months 3 and 6.
Results:
At baseline, CoV2+ children exhibited significantly elevated levels of cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-2, TNFα, IL-1α, and IL-6, and reduced levels of IL-1β and IL-18, compared to CoV2- children. No significant differences in cytokine levels between the groups were observed at months 3 and 6. Additionally, a general decline in cytokine levels was noted over the course of treatment in both groups. A positive correlation was found between most cytokines and SARS-CoV2 IgG spike protein levels at baseline and at month 3 in the CoV2+ group.
Conclusions:
This study is one of the first studies to characterize the systemic inflammatory responses in SARS-CoV2 seropositive and seronegative children with TB from a TB endemic country. The findings enhance our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of TB and SARS-CoV2 seropositivity in children and may inform future therapeutic strategies.
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