RSV感染患儿外周血CD_4~*”CD_(45)RO~+CD_(45)RA~+表达变化的研究

目的：探讨下呼吸道感染呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)患儿外周血辅助性T淋巴细胞(CD4),原始T细胞(CD45RA+),记忆性T细胞(CD45RO+)表达的变化。方法：用单克隆抗体免疫荧光标记,流式细胞仪检测30例RSV下呼吸道感染患儿急性期外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)CD4+,CD45RA+细胞,其中11例同时检测CD45RO+细胞,同期检测9例年龄、性别无差异的健康儿为对照。结果：RSV下呼吸道感染组患儿CD4为(32.74±10.60)%,明显低于对照组(40.76±6.82)%,2组有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论：RSV感染急性期存在免疫功能紊乱,外周血CD4,CD45RO+下降,而CD45RA+明显增加,这可能是CD45RO+向呼吸道迁移的结果。     

呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎患儿T细胞亚群检测的临床价值

目的：呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染所致的毛细支气管炎日后发展为哮喘的机率很高,由于哮喘患儿机体存在明显的免疫功能紊乱,而RSV毛细支气管炎在这方面的研究不多,为此该研究探讨毛细支气管炎患儿T细胞亚群的变化及其临床意义。方法：采用流式细胞术对21例RSV毛细支气管炎患儿及20例正常儿童T细胞亚群进行检测。结果：RSV毛细支气管炎组与对照组外周血T细胞亚群CD4,CD8差异无显著性(P>0.05),CD4/CD8比值RSV毛细支气管炎组高于对照组,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论：RSV毛细支气管炎患儿存在与哮喘相似的T细胞亚群变化相关的免疫功能紊乱,提示两者在发病机制上存在一定的联系。     

呼吸道合胞病毒致婴儿下呼吸道感染时细胞免疫观察

共测定52例RSV下呼吸道感染患婴在急性期和恢复期中IL-2水平、NK活性及T细胞亚群。结果显示IL-2水平,NK活性及CD4/CD8均明显降低,恢复期则基本恢复正常。毛细支气管炎组恢复期的CD8明显低于肺炎组恢复期的CD8。说明RSV下呼吸道感染患儿存在明显的细胞免疫异常,可能是其在感染RSV后易发展成严重感染的原因之一,而且与以后哮喘的发生有一定关系。     

T抑制细胞与婴幼儿呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎的关系探讨

本文应用免疫荧光法、以T细胞亚群单克隆抗体，研究婴幼儿呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）毛细支气管炎急性期及感染后反覆喘鸣儿的T抑制细胞的变化。急性期CD3、CD4、CD5细胞均明显减少，出院时CD3细胞明显增多，CD4细胞呈升高趋势，CD3细胞变化极少。感染后反覆喘鸣儿CD8细胞亦呈低水平状态，与正常儿比较，均呈显著性差异（P＜0．01）。急性期RSV毛细支气管炎患儿与不伴喘鸣的RSV阴性患儿相比前者CD3、CD8量少，但不呈统计学差异（p>0.05)。实验提示T细胞免疫反应尤其是CD8细胞参与了RSV毛细支气管炎喘鸣的发病与转归。     

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目的探讨呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)支气管肺炎患儿外周血单个核细胞(PBMCS)高迁移率族蛋白B-1(HMGB1)mRNA表达,及血浆肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平、T细胞亚群,并探讨HMGB1、TNF-α、T细胞亚群在RSV支气管肺炎免疫发病机制中的临床意义。方法对2007年9月至2009年3月于苏州大学附属儿童医院呼吸科住院治疗的52例RSV支气管肺炎患儿,其中25例为呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染,27例为RSV和细菌混合感染。同时选择23例健康儿童作对照组,应用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法对其PBMCS HMGB1mRNA表达进行检测,并应用ELLSA法检测外周血浆TNF-α,流式细胞仪检测T细胞亚群。结果 (1)3组间PBMCS HMGB1mRNA的表达、血浆TNF-α水平差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),RSV感染组和混合感染组HMGB1的表达差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);(2)CD3+、CD3+CD8+、CD3-CD19+、CD19+CD23+、CD3-CD(16+56)+的百分比在3组间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);(3)CD3+、CD3+CD8+、CD3-CD(16+56)+亚群:RSV感染组和混合感染组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但较对照组有明显降低(P<0.05);(4)CD3-CD19+RSV感染组和混合感染组之间差异无统计学意义,但较对照组明显增高(P<0.05);(5)CD3+CD4+、CD4+CD25+在3组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);(6)混合感染组CD19+CD23+、CD4+CD25+较对照组明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 HMGB1可能参与了RSV和细菌混合感染支气管肺炎的免疫发病过程,HMGB1与TNF-α作用机制可能不同。     

儿童噬血细胞性淋巴组织细胞增生症淋巴细胞亚群变化及临床意义

目的探讨外周血淋巴细胞亚群对儿童噬血细胞性淋巴组织细胞增生症(HLH)诊断、治疗和预后判断的意义。方法 30例HLH患儿,采用HLH-2004诊断治疗方案,20例患儿获得完全缓解,10例死亡。30例同龄健康儿童作为正常对照。采用流式细胞术检测外周血淋巴细胞亚群。结果 20例缓解患儿和10例死亡患儿急性期与正常对照组比较,CD3+T和CD8+T细胞比例均增高,CD4+T和CD3-CDl6+CD56+NK细胞比例均下降,CD4+/CD8+比值减低,差异均有统计学意义(H=7.857~45.448,P均0.05);CD19+B细胞比例与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(H=6.202,P0.05)。20例HLH缓解患儿缓解期与急性期淋巴细胞亚群比较,CD3-CD16+CD56+NK细胞比例的差异有统计学意义(Z=3.760,P0.05),CD3+T、CD8+T、CD4+T和CD4+/CD8+比值、CD19+B计数差异无统计学意义(Z=0.135~1.082,P均0.05)。结论 HLH患儿淋巴细胞亚群有明显变化,存在细胞免疫失衡;动态检测其变化可能有助于判断HLH的治疗效果及预后。     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病化疗后T淋巴细胞重建的研究

目的观察急性淋巴细胞白血病儿童在化疗结束后T淋巴细胞亚群的变化,了解T淋巴细胞重建过程。方法采用流式细胞仪分析76名ALL治疗后停药不同阶段的儿童外周血T淋巴细胞亚群。结果CD3+HLA-DR+细胞、CD4+CD45RO-CD45RA-细胞百分率在停药后0~12月组高于对照组(P<0·05),CD3+CD4-CD8+、CD8+CD28-细胞百分率在停药后0~12月、12~24月24~48月组均高于对照组,CD3+CD8-CD4+、CD4+CD45RO-CD45RA+细胞的百分率、CD4/CD8值、CD45RA/CD45RO值在停药各个阶段与对照组相比明显降低(P<0·05)。结论化疗结束后,活化的T细胞可能在停药早期免疫系统的监视作用中起积极的作用,患儿的T淋巴细胞恢复需要较长的时间。CD4+CD45RO-CD45RA+、CD3+CD4+CD8-淋巴细胞的恢复最慢。     

宫内生长迟缓早产儿T淋巴细胞亚群水平变化

目的 了解宫内生长迟缓（IUGR）早产儿生后T淋巴细胞亚群水平及变化。方法 67例早产儿中IUGR早产儿29例,适于胎龄（AGA）早产儿38例;另取健康足月儿20例为对照组。采用流式细胞仪测定各组出生24 h内及校正胎龄38周时外周静脉血T淋巴细胞亚群水平;同时测定各时间点外周血白细胞、淋巴细胞及T淋巴细胞绝对计数。结果 24 h内IUGR早产儿CD3+、CD4+百分比低于AGA早产儿和对照组（P<0.05）,IUGR 早产儿CD8+及CD4+/CD8+低于对照组（P<0.05）,AGA早产儿CD3+、CD4+及CD4+/CD8+低于对照组（P<0.05）;IUGR早产儿外周血淋巴细胞低于对照组（P<0.05）,IUGR、AGA早产儿的T淋巴细胞低于对照组（P<0.05）,IUGR早产儿T淋巴细胞低于AGA早产儿（P<0.05）。校正胎龄38周时,IUGR、AGA早产儿CD3+、CD4+及CD4+/CD8+高于出生24 h内（P<0.05）,IUGR早产儿CD3+、CD4+、CD8+及CD4+/CD8+低于AGA早产儿（P<0.05）;IUGR与AGA早产儿外周血白细胞、淋巴细胞、T淋巴细胞比较差异无统计学意义（P >0.05）。结论 IUGR早产儿T淋巴细胞亚群免疫功能低于AGA早产儿及健康足月儿,并且持续至生后一段时间。     

调节性T细胞在儿童过敏性紫癜发病机制中的作用初探

目的系统观察过敏性紫癜(HSP)急性期调节性T细胞(Tr)亚群及辅助性T细胞亚群(Th1/Th2)的变化,探讨HSP急性期免疫失衡的发病机制。方法流式细胞术检测20例HSP急性期患儿各种调节性T细胞亚群(CD4+CD25+Tr、Tr1、Th3等)和辅助性T细胞亚群(Th1、Th2)的改变,并采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和荧光定量聚合酶链反应(Real-tim e PCR)检测其外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)Foxp3 mRNA的表达。同期20例同龄健康儿童作为对照。结果HSP急性期CD3+CD8-INF-γ-IL-4+(Th2)细胞显著增高(P<0.05),Th1/Th2比值显著降低(P<0.05)。各调节性T细胞亚群CD4+CD2+5Tr、CD4+IL-4-IL-10+(Tr1)、CD4+TGF-β+(Th3)细胞与正常对照组比较均显著降低(P均<0.05)。HSP组PBMC Foxp3 mRNA的表达与正常对照组比较亦显著降低(0.22±0.05vs.66.32±9.25,P<0.001)。结论HSP急性期存在明显的免疫失衡,Th2优势明显;调节性T细胞CD4+CD2+5Tr、Tr1、Th3数量减少导致的免疫抑制效应不足可能是导致HSP免疫失衡的重要原因,而HSP患儿调节性T细胞减少与Foxp3表达降低有关。     

基因重组γ-型干扰素治疗小儿毛细支气管炎对T淋巴细胞调节作用的观察

目的　观察基因重组γ 型干扰素 (IFN γ)对呼吸道合胞病毒 (RSV)毛细支气管炎 (毛支 )患儿TH1/TH2亚群功能的调节作用。方法　将 4 0例RSV毛支患儿随机分为IFN γ观察组 2 0例及对照组 2 0例。选择 15例健康婴儿为正常组。治疗前用单克隆抗体双色免疫荧光FITC/PE行双标记 ,流式细胞仪检测患儿外周血单个核细胞 (PBMCs)辅助性T淋巴细胞CD4 及其TH1亚群CD4 CD4 5RA ,TH2亚群CD4 CD4 5RO 的表达 ,用ELISA方法检测患儿血清中细胞因子IFN γ、IL 4水平。经IFN γ治疗后 7～ 10d复查。结果　与正常组相比 ,RSV毛支患儿外周血辅助性T淋巴细胞CD4 ,TH1亚群CD4 CD4 5RA 明显下降 (P <0 0 5 ) ,TH2亚群CD4 CD4 5RO 没有明显变化 (P >0 0 5 ) ,TH1/TH2比值明显降低 (P <0 0 5 ) ,血清中IFN γ、IL 4水平均有降低 ,其中IFN γ水平下降非常明显 (P <0 0 1) ,IFN γ/IL 4比值降低 (P <0 0 5 )。经IFN γ治疗后 ,观察组IFN γ水平明显升高 ,TH1/TH2、IFN γ/IL 4比值升高 ,观察组及对照组IL 4水平均没有明显变化。结论　婴幼儿RSV毛支患儿存在TH 细胞及其免疫功能状态紊乱 ,主要表现为TH1及其功能下降 ;TH2及其功能相对增强 ,TH1/TH2的失衡是导致婴幼儿下呼吸道感染发生TH2样反应的重要免疫机制。     

Peripheral blood T and B lymphocyte subpopulations in infants with acute respiratory syncytial virus brochiolitis

Most data concerning immunopathogenetic mechanisms involved in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection are derived from animal studies. In infants with RSV bronchiolitis the target organ i. e. the airway is hard to explore. We looked for specific alterations in peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in infants hospitalized for RSV bronchiolitis. Flow cytometric analysis with a large panel of monoclonals was performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes in thirty-two infants (mean age: 4. 9 months) admitted for RSV bronchiolitis. Data collected on admission were compared with age-matched control values and also with results obtained at the end of the first week of hospitalization. Differences between age-groups (older or younger than 4 months) and between clinical subgroups (clinical severity score more or less than 6) were looked for. In the group of infants as a whole, regardless of age and clinical score the number of CD4+ cells on admission was significantly elevated compared to normal values for age (p < 0.001) including a high fraction of the naive suppressor-inducer subpopulation (CD4+/CD45RA+) and a low fraction of the reciprocal memory helper-inducer subpopulation (CD4+/CD29+). Within the CD8+ cell population the number of T cells with cytotoxic activity (CD8+/S6F1+) was significantly elevated (p < 0.001) as were other types of cytotoxic cells. A significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in the proportion of the precursor/suppressor-effector subpopulation (CD8+/S6F1-) was seen. Absolute numbers and percentages of CD 19+ B cells were significantly elevated (p < 0.001) with a significant increase in the CD5+ subfraction (p < 0.001) as well as in the CD 10+ subfraction (p < 0.001). In the older age group immunophenotypic cytotoxicity was more pronounced with increased clinical score. During recovery the CD45RA+: CD29+ ratio tended to normalize within the CD4+ T cells. Within the B lymphocyte subsets significant increase in the CD19+/ CD5+ fraction (p < 0.5) was seen. We conclude that there are significant changes in the number of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in infants with RSV bronchiolitis as compared to age-related controls. We hope that present data could be useful in further exploration of RSV immunology in humans. A possible link between RSV bronchiolitis and the subsequent development of atopy is mentioned.     

幼年特发性关节炎患儿外周血Th细胞亚群变化

目的探讨幼年特发性关节炎(JIA)患儿外周血CD4 T淋巴细胞及其亚群CD4 CD45RA 、CD4 CD45RO 的表达及其临床意义。方法采用免疫荧光标记技术和流式细胞仪检测36例JIA患儿外周血CD4 T淋巴细胞及其亚群CD4 CD45RA 、CD4 CD45RO 的表达,同期检测20例年龄、性别无差异的健康儿童为对照。结果JIA患儿外周血CD4 T淋巴细胞明显低于对照组(t=2.099,P<0.05),CD4 CD45RA T淋巴细胞数与对照组比较明显降低(t=3.450,P<0.01),CD4 CD45RO T淋巴细胞数明显升高(t=3.913,P<0.01),CD4 CD45RA T/CD4 CD45RO T比值明显降低(t=4.904,P<0.01);与对照组比较,JIA各亚型(全身型、多关节型、少关节型)的CD4 CD45RO T淋巴细胞数均明显升高,CD4 CD45RA T/CD4 CD45RO T比值明显降低(P<0.01);CD4 CD45RA T淋巴细胞数与正常对照组比较在全身型中显著降低(t=4.192,P<0.01);在多关节型中明显降低(t=2.214,P<0.05);在少关节型中稍有降低,但与对照组比较差异无显著性(t=1.793,P>0.05)。结论JIA患儿的免疫功能紊乱主要表现为CD4 T淋巴细胞及其亚群CD4 CD45RA T/CD4 CD45RO T失衡,这可能在JIA发病机制中起着重要的作用。     

肺炎支原体感染患儿T淋巴细胞亚群检测及分析

目的　观察肺炎支原体肺炎患儿急性期外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、T淋巴细胞活化状态的改变,探讨其发病机制。方法　采用流式细胞仪技术检测了2 0 0 2年1 0月至2 0 0 3年6月就诊于上海市金山区中心医院的1 7例肺炎支原体肺炎患儿急性期外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及T细胞亚群上CD2 5+的表达和CD4+细胞上CD4+CD45RA+、CD4+CD45RO+的表达;对照组为1 0例健康体检儿童。两组年龄、性别差异无显著意义。结果　肺炎支原体肺炎患儿急性期外周血CD3 +百分率( % )为( 62 . 2 3±6 .2 7) ,较对照组( 68 .60±4. 74)低,差异有显著性意义(P <0 . 0 5) ;CD4+、CD8+百分率较对照组差异无显著性意义(P >0. 0 5) ;CD8+CD2 5+百分率( % )为( 0 . 61±0 . 58) ,较对照组( 2 .1 6±0 . 40 )降低,差异有极显著性意义(P <0 .0 1 ) ;CD4+CD45RA+/CD4+CD45RO+比值与对照组相比降低(P <0 . 0 5)。结论　肺炎支原体肺炎时存在细胞免疫失调,主要表现为总T细胞降低,T细胞活化障碍和CD4+CD45RA+/CD4+CD45RO+平衡失调。     

sCD40L、CD4~+CD45RA~+T细胞及CD4~+CD45RO~+T细胞在儿童ITP中的作用

目的探讨协同刺激分子可溶性CD40配体(sCD40L)及CD4+T辅助细胞CD45RA和CD45RO亚群在儿童特发性血小板减少性紫癜中的变化。方法用ELISA法检测25例ITP患儿血浆sCD40L水平;用微量全血流式细胞术法检测ITP患儿外周血CD4+T辅助细胞CD45RA和CD45RO的表达率;并对sCD40L与血小板计数进行相关分析。结果ITP患儿血浆sCD40L浓度明显升高,与对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05);CITP组血浆sCD40L浓度升高更为明显,与AITP组或对照组比较差异均有显著性(P<0.05)。ITP患儿CD4+CD45RA+T细胞表达率下降,CD4+CD45RO+T细胞表达率升高,差异均有显著性意义(P<0.05),而AITP和CITP之间差异无显著性(P>0.05)。血浆sCD40L与外周血小板计数无相关性(r=-0.047,P>0.05)。结论CD40L高表达导致的CD40L/CD40信号传导通路异常可能参与ITP发病;ITP患儿存在Th细胞亚群偏移,表现为Th1细胞减少,Th2细胞增多。     

Activation of the granzyme pathway in children with severe respiratory syncytial virus infection

Granzymes (Grs), serine proteases present in granules of effector lymphocytes, are involved in several host immune responses, including the activation of cell death and inflammatory pathways. The main goal of this study was to determine whether the local cell-mediated Gr pathway is activated during severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) in children. Tracheal aspirates (TA) from 23 children with RSV-LRTI and 12 controls without pulmonary disease were analyzed for Gr A and B. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from seven children with RSV-LRTI were analyzed for cellular expression of GrB. Levels of GrA and GrB in TA were significantly increased in RSV patients compared with controls and both Grs showed preserved activity. Gr levels correlated with the total leukocyte counts and IL-8 levels in the airways at several time points. However, no correlation between Gr levels and release of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 was found. There was evidence for marked expression of GrB by both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells and natural killer cells in the respiratory tract. These findings suggest activation of the cell-mediated Gr pathway during severe RSV-LRTI in children.     

Staphylococcus aureus skin colonization in atopic dermatitis children is associated with decreased IFN-gamma production by peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, which is associated with an increased expression of Th2 cytokines with concomitant decrease in IFN-gamma production by circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The skin of patients with AD is often colonized by Staphylococcus aureus, which may reflect in changes in immunological parameters. The aim of the study was flow cytometric measurement of some peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets expressing naive/memory marker (RA/RO) and activation marker (CD25) as well as intracellular production of IFN-gamma by peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from varied severity AD children and determine the impact of S. aureus skin colonization on cytokines profiles. There was a significant increase in the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing IL-4 and IL-13 and decrease in the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing IFN-gamma upon in vitro stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin in children with AD compared to healthy ones. The absolute number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing memory marker CD45RO was elevated as compared with controls. The severity of AD was positively correlated with the percentage of lymphocyte subsets: CD45RO+, CD4+CD45RO+, and the percentage of CD3+ and CD4+ expressing CD25 as well as the number of S. aureus on the skin. In conclusion, both CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells are involved in the immunopathogenesis of AD. S. aureus skin colonization is related with disease severity and changes in expression of CD45RO and CD25 on T cells. A decrease in the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing IFN-gamma in AD children may explain propensity for skin infection.     

幼年类风湿关节炎患儿血清白介素-15变化与T_H细胞亚群表达的研究

目的：探讨幼年类风湿关节炎(JRA)患儿血清白介素15变化及其TH细胞亚群CD4+CD45RA+,CD4+CD45RO+的表达变化。方法：采用ELISA方法检测39例JRA患儿的血清IL15的水平,并同期选择26例年龄、性别无差异的健康儿童为对照。对其中24例JRA患儿采用免疫荧光标记技术和流式细胞仪检测外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞亚群CD4+CD45RA+,CD4+CD45RO+的表达。结果：JRA患儿组血清IL15水平显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05);JRA常见亚型中全身型患儿血清IL15水平明显升高,与对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.01),而少关节型、多关节型患儿IL15水平与对照组比较差异无显著性(P>0.05);治疗后IL15水平较治疗前明显下降(P<0.01);JRA患儿血清IL15水平与外周血白细胞计数呈正相关(r=0.347,P<0.05),与血沉无相关(r=0.307,P>0.05),与C反应蛋白呈显著正相关(r=0.452,P<0.01);IL15高表达组患儿外周血CD4+CD45RO+T淋巴细胞数明显高于IL15低表达组患儿(P<0.05),CD4+CD45RA+T淋巴细胞数、CD4+CD45RA+T/CD4+CD45RO+T比值略低于IL15低表达组患儿,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论：JRA患儿血清IL15的水平显著升高;IL15升高使JRA患儿外周血CD4+T细胞表面CD45RA分子向CD45RO分子转换,促使T淋巴细胞大量激活,进而介导组织免疫病理损伤;在临床上可通过检测IL15以判断JRA的病情状况,为JRA治疗提供理论依据。     

The clinical features of respiratory syncytial virus: Lower respiratory tract infection after upper respiratory tract infection due to influenza virus

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus are the primary pathogens of respiratory tract infection. However, epidemics of influenza virus infection have been observed to interrupt RSV epidemics (termed an epidemiological interference effect). METHODS: At a clinic in Tsuna county, Hyogo prefecture, Japan, a total of 1262 outpatients under 6 years of age with lower respiratory tract infection due to RSV (RSV-LRTI) and upper respiratory tract infection due to influenza virus (FLU-URTI) in three successive winter seasons (1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002) were analyzed. RESULTS: The RSV-LRTI epidemic and FLU-URTI epidemic overlapped in each season, but the RSV-LRTI epidemic peak preceded that of the FLU-URTI epidemic. Epidemiological interference between RSV and influenza virus was observed in the second and third season; the number of patients with RSV-LRTI began to decrease after the start of the FLU-URTI epidemic and recovered to some extent after the FLU-URTI epidemic passed its peak. There were no differences in onset age, male-to-female ratio and severity of RSV-LRTI in outpatients before and after the start of the FLU-URTI epidemic in all the three seasons. CONCLUSION: An epidemiological interference between RSV and influenza virus was observed in Tsuna county in two of the three winter seasons. However, there was no difference between the clinical features of the patients with RSV-LRTI before and after the start of the influenza virus infection epidemic. The data suggest that the clinical severity of RSV infection is not changed by the epidemiological interference effect of influenza virus infection epidemics.     

Passive smoking alters circulating naïve/memory lymphocyte T‐cell subpopulations in children

Vardavas CI, Plada M, Tzatzarakis M, Marcos A, Warnberg J, Gomez‐Martinez S, Breidenassel C, Gonzalez‐Gross M, Tsatsakis AM, Saris WH., Moreno LA, Kafatos AG. Passive smoking alters circulating naïve/memory lymphocyte T‐cell subpopulations in children.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 1171–1178.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S While it has been indicated that exposure to second‐hand smoke (SHS) can cause a local in vivo response, limited evidence exists on its possible systemic effects from population‐based levels of exposure. We investigated into a possible systemic response in the immune parameters and lymphocyte subsets, i.e. B cell (CD19+), T cell (CD4+CD45RO+, CD4+CD45RA+, CD3+CD45RO+, CD3+CD45RA+) and natural killer (CD3+CD16CD56+) lymphocyte subsets relative to exposure to SHS. Blood was drawn from healthy, verified non‐smoker, adolescent subjects (n = 68, mean age 14.2) and analysed for cotinine, antioxidants and lymphocyte immunophenotyping. SHS exposure was assessed using serum cotinine. Biomarker quantified exposure to SHS was correlated with a linear dose–response reduction in the percentages of memory CD4+CD45RO+ (p = 0.005) and CD3+CD45RO+ T‐cell subsets (p = 0.005 and p = 0.003, respectively) and a linear increase in the percentage of naïve CD4+CD45RA+ and CD3+CD45RA+ T‐cell subsets (p = 0.006 and p = 0.003, respectively). Additionally, higher exposure to SHS was associated with a higher CD4+CD45RA+ count (532 vs. 409 cells/ml, p = 0.017). Moreover, after controlling for age, gender, body mass index and plasma antioxidants, SHS exposure was found to be associated with the percentage of circulating naïve and memory CD4+ and CD3+ T‐cell subpopulations, as revealed through a linear regression analysis. These findings indicate a systemic immunological response in healthy adolescents exposed to population‐based levels of SHS exposure and imply an additional biological pathway for the interaction between exposure to SHS and its adverse effects on human health.