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Human In Vitro Suppression as Screening Tool for the Recognition of an Early State of Immune Imbalance
Published on: July 22, 2011
Immune function in healthy adolescents
J A Bartlett1, S J Schleifer, M K Demetrikopoulos
1Department of Psychiatry, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07107-3000, USA. bartleja@umdnj.edu
Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology
|February 10, 1998
Summary
This study explored immune system differences in healthy Black and Hispanic adolescents. Findings revealed variations in immune functioning based on age, gender, and race.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Understanding normal immune system development is crucial for identifying health disparities.
- Adolescence is a critical period for immune system maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate immunological functioning in healthy African-American and Latino/Latina adolescents.
- To identify demographic influences on immune parameters in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of adolescents from an inner-city high school and clinic.
- Utilized a comprehensive battery of tests for enumerative and functional immune measures.
- Assessed both innate and adaptive immunity components.
Main Results:
- Observed significant immune differences related to age.
- Identified immune variations associated with gender.
- Found race-specific differences in both enumerative and functional immune measures.
Conclusions:
- Demographic factors such as age, gender, and race influence adolescent immune functioning.
- This research contributes valuable data on normal immunity in diverse adolescent populations.
- Highlights the need for considering demographic variables in adolescent health studies.
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