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Updated: May 19, 2026
In Vitro Culture for H5N1-Specific Duck T Cells and Detection of Immune Responses Using Intracellular Cytokine Staining Method
Published on: May 30, 2025
Altered lymphocyte counts in a pediatric patient with H5N1 infection
Kang-yu Zhang1, Lei Zhu, Ji-geng Bai
1Children's Hospital of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, China.
Insights
Avian influenza infection in a child led to decreased CD4 and natural killer cells. Immune cell counts, including CD4/CD8 ratio, normalized during recovery, indicating immune system resilience.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Avian influenza poses a significant threat, particularly to vulnerable populations.
- Understanding the immunological impact of avian influenza in children is crucial for effective treatment.
Observation:
- Flow cytometry analysis was performed on a pediatric patient with avian influenza.
- Lymphocyte subsets, including CD3, CD4, CD8, and natural killer (CD3CD1656) cells, were quantified.
Findings:
- Early-stage avian influenza showed reduced CD4+ T-cell counts and a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio.
- Natural killer (CD3CD1656) cell counts were also diminished during the acute phase.
- Convalescence was marked by the normalization of CD4+ T-cell counts and the CD4/CD8 ratio, alongside an increase in natural killer cells.
Implications:
- These findings highlight the transient but significant immune dysregulation caused by avian influenza in children.
- Monitoring lymphocyte subsets may aid in assessing disease severity and recovery progression.
- Further research into pediatric avian influenza immunology can inform therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Flow cytometry was used to analyze the changes in lymphocyte subsets in the youngest child with avian influenza in China. During the early stage, the absolute CD3 count was 62.9% (lower limit of normal), the CD8 count was 32.5% (slightly higher than normal), and the CD4 count was 28.6% (lower than normal). The CD4/CD8 ratio was also decreased (0.88). The natural killer (CD3CD1656) cell count was 4.9% (lower than normal). During the convalescent stage, the CD4 count and the CD4/CD8 ratio returned to normal. The CD3CD1656 count increased from its value at the early stage of the disease.
