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Circulating fibronectin and fibronectin receptor in children with pertussis
Insights
Children with pertussis show decreased fibronectin levels, potentially for infection control. Increased fibronectin receptor concentrations suggest T cell activation during Bordetella pertussis infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pertussis, a respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, affects children worldwide.
- Fibronectin and its receptor play roles in immune responses and tissue repair.
- Understanding immune markers in pertussis can aid diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify fibronectin and fibronectin receptor levels in children diagnosed with pertussis.
- To compare these levels with those in children with other respiratory infections and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from children with pertussis, other respiratory infections, and healthy controls were analyzed.
- Fibronectin and fibronectin receptor concentrations were measured using single radial immunodiffusion and enzyme immunoassay techniques.
Main Results:
- Children with pertussis exhibited significantly lower fibronectin concentrations.
- Elevated fibronectin receptor levels were observed in children with pertussis.
- Decreased fibronectin was also noted in children with other respiratory infections, but their fibronectin receptor levels were normal.
Conclusions:
- Reduced fibronectin in pertussis may facilitate its deposition in respiratory tissues to combat infection.
- Increased fibronectin receptor in pertussis likely indicates T cell activation and cell-mediated immunity.
- These findings highlight potential biomarkers for pertussis in pediatric patients.
Aim:
To determine concentrations of fibronectin and fibronectin receptor in children with pertussis.
Methods:
Concentrations of circulating fibronectin and serum fibronectin receptor were detected in eight children affected by pertussis, eight children with acute upper or lower respiratory tract infections, and in 14 healthy control children. The single radial immunodiffusion technique and a solid phase enzyme immunoassay were used to detect circulating serum concentrations of fibronectin and fibronectin receptor.
Results:
On admission, a significant decrease in fibronectin was detected in children with pertussis (p = 0.0006). Significant and decreased concentrations of fibronectin were also observed in children with upper or lower respiratory tract infections (p = 0.0002). On the other hand, serum fibronectin receptor concentrations were significantly increased in patients with pertussis, whereas patients with upper or lower respiratory tract infections had normal circulating fibronectin receptor concentrations.
Conclusions:
Fibronectin deficiency in children with pertussis may be related to diffusion and deposition of this protein in bronchial and alveolar spaces to limit infection, while increased fibronectin receptor concentrations are probably the expression of T cell activation and cell-mediated immunity during Bordetella pertussis infection.