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T-lymphocyte subsets and prolonged diarrhea in young children from Guinea-Bissau
1Epidemiology Research Unit, Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Higher percentages of CD8 T-lymphocytes in children were linked to a greater risk of prolonged diarrhea. These findings suggest T-cell subsets may be targets for preventing diarrheal diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Diarrheal diseases remain a significant health concern in children globally.
- T-lymphocyte subsets play a crucial role in immune responses.
- Understanding the relationship between T-cell profiles and diarrheal illness duration is important for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between T-cell subset proportions and the incidence and duration of diarrhea in children.
- To explore potential immune system markers for predicting prolonged diarrheal episodes.
Main Methods:
- A community-based prospective study involving 380 children.
- Data collected between 1987 and 1990.
- Analysis of the relationship between CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte percentages and diarrhea incidence/duration, adjusted for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between higher percentages of CD8 T-lymphocytes and prolonged diarrhea (duration >= 7 days).
- Children with 20-29.9% and >= 30% CD8 T-cells had a 2.10 and 3.41 relative incidence of prolonged diarrhea, respectively.
- No significant association was observed between T-cell subsets and diarrhea resolving within 6 days.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CD8 T-cell proportions are associated with an increased risk of prolonged diarrhea in children.
- The findings suggest that T-cell subsets could be potential targets for interventions against diarrheal diseases.
- Further research is needed to explore the role of prior infections and micronutrient deficiencies as potential confounders or mediators.
Abstract:
In a community-based prospective study of 380 children conducted between 1987 and 1990, the rate of diarrhea was significantly associated with percentage of CD8 T-lymphocytes and the CD4:CD8 ratio. After adjustment for age and previous diarrhea, the relative incidence of diarrhea with a duration of > or = 7 days was 2.10 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-3.85) in children with 20-29.9% CD8 T-cells and 3.41 (95% CI 1.29-9.01) in children with > or = 30% CD8 T-cells (in comparison with children who had less than 20% CD8 cells) (p for trend = 0.004). There was a nonsignificant tendency for rates of diarrhea of > or = 7 days to decrease according to increasing proportions of CD4 cells (p = 0.194). The authors found no significant association between T-cell subsets and diarrhea which resolved within 6 days. The association between the incidence of prolonged diarrhea and T-cell subset proportions could not be explained as a confounding effect of low weight, breastfeeding, or previous infection with measles or Cryptosporidium. However, other prior infections or micronutrient deficiencies may explain the findings, and these host factors may be significant targets in intervention against diarrheal diseases.