Contini C, Ronchetti R, Romani R, Tzantzoglou S, Agostini D, Villa MP; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 384 (abstract no. PO-B10-1492).
Inst Infect Dis, University of Ferrara, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: We set out to investigate the occurrence of P. carinii in nasopharyngeal secretions from children without AIDS or other underlying immunosuppressive illness. METHODS: Between January 1992 and February 1993, thirty children with various respiratory disorders underwent nasopharyngeal aspirations which were screened for bacteria, viruses and evaluated for P. carinii presence by using immunocytochemical staining method. Serological studies looking for P. carinii antibodies or soluble antigens were also done. Phenotypic analysis of T-cells (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25), activated T-cells (HLA-DR+/CD3+), T-NK activity cells (CD3/CD16/CD56). NK cells (CD3-/CD16+/CD56+) and tests for cell mediated immuno responses reported in immunodeficiency diseases including AIDS were performed. RESULTS: P. carinii organism were detected in samples from 5/30 (16.6%) children who were found to have severe respiratory tract disease such as chronic mucopurulent rhinorrea and ozena (1 case), recurrent bronchopneumonia (1 case), chronic productive cough and allergic rhinitis (1 case) median lobe atelectasis (2 cases). All Pneumocystis positive specimens revealed concomitant baterial contaminants. Anti-P. carinii antibodies ranged from 1:256 to 1:512. P. carinii antigenemia was negative. Studies for HIV1 and HIV2 were negative. The absolute numbers of T and B lymphocytes, as well as of T-cell subsets CD4, CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio appeared to be intact. Cell mediated immuno responses were normal. Increased expression of T-cell activation and cytolitic T-cell was exhibited by three patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware to the possibility of P. carinii recovery also among patients with chronic lung disease in absence of quantitative immune deficiency, predisposing illness and without previous known exposition to exogenous sources of P. carinii through contact with infected persons or other environmental foci. Moreover, nasopharyngeal aspiration technique may represent a powerful diagnostic tool to identify Pneumocystis in alternative to other invasive procedures.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Antigens, CD3
- Antigens, CD4
- Antigens, CD56
- Antigens, CD8
- B-Lymphocytes
- Child
- FCGR3B protein, human
- HLA-DR Antigens
- Humans
- Killer Cells, Natural
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Pneumocystis
- Pneumonia, Pneumocystis
- Receptors, IgG
- Receptors, Interleukin-2
- T-Lymphocytes
- immunology
Other ID:
UI: 102204428
From Meeting Abstracts