title: Flow cytometry study of lymphocyte subsets in malnourished and well-nourished children with bacterial infections.
abstract: Protein-energy malnutrition is the primary cause of immune deficiency in children across the world. It has been related to changes in peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of infection and malnutrition on the proportion of peripheral-lymphocyte subsets in well-nourished non-bacterium-infected (WN), well-nourished bacterium-infected (WNI), and malnourished bacterium-infected (MNI) children by flow cytometry. A prospectively monitored cohort of 15 MNI, 12 WNI, and 17 WN children was studied. All the children were 3 years old or younger and had only bacterial infections. Results showed a significant decrease in the proportion of T CD3(+) (P < 0.05 for relative and P < 0.03 for absolute values), CD4(+) (P < 0.01 for relative and absolute values), and CD8(+) (P < 0.05 for relative values) lymphocyte subsets in WNI children compared to the results seen with WN children. Additionally, B lymphocytes in MNI children showed significant lower values (CD20(+) P < 0.02 for relative and P < 0.05 for absolute values) in relation to the results seen with WNI children. These results suggest that the decreased proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets observed in WNI children were associated with infection diseases and that the incapacity to increase the proportion of B lymphocyte was associated with malnutrition. This low proportion of B lymphocytes may be associated with the mechanisms involved in the immunodeficiency of malnourished children.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco. Departamento de Atención a la Salud, Calz. del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud, A. P. 23-181, Coyoacán, 04960 México, D. F. México. onajera@cueyatl.uam.mx
authors.forename: Oralia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nájera
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ortiz
mesh_terms: D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000032:analysis; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D018579:Patient Selection; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018951:Antigens, CD20; D017252:CD3 Complex; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D017452:Receptors, IgG