Features of the immune status of often and long-term sick children — residents of the Altai Territory

The study of the immune status of often and long-term sick children (OSC) — residents of the Altai Territory, involved 31 male and female children aged 3 to 5 years. All children were followed-up at the children’s clinic at the place of residence as “often sick,” suffering from recurrent respiratory diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The control group consisted of 28 conditionally healthy children aged 3–5 years who were not registered as often sick. All participants underwent a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination, including a complete blood count, a study of biochemical blood parameters, a comprehensive immunological examination, a comprehensive parasite screening, an examination on herpes virus infections (human papillomavirus, Epstein — Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV)).

The analysis of microfl ora from the mucosa of the nasal cavity and pharynx revealed both opportunistic and pathogenic microfl ora in the group of OSC. Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis (in 32% of children), Neisseria spp. (in 23%), S. aureus (in 15%) were most often found. 60% of OSC had a positive antibody (AB) response to EA (IgG) and VCA (IgG) antigens of EBV, as well as positive anti-CMV IgG. The analysis showed that AB to HSV were not detected in isolation from AB to other herpes viruses (EBV, CMV), while AB to CMV were found in 25% of cases, and AB to EBV — in 15%. The remaining 60% of cases accounted for their combination. An immunological examination of children did not reveal pronounced disorders of the immunological status, but there was an apparent decrease in the number of mature T-lymphocytes (CD3+), T-helper cells (CD4+), as well as T-cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+). Assessment of interferon (IFN) status revealed a relatively low level of IFN-α in the OSC. Thus, the majority of examined OSC did not have signifi cant disorders of the immune system, which requires local pediatricians to take a more balanced approach to the tactics of their examination.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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