Cases of Impaired Oxidative Burst in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants' Neutrophils-A Pilot Study.
An increased risk of serious bacterial infections in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants has been demonstrated. Although neutrophils are essential for the protection of infants against bacterial infections, no study has investigated their profile in HEU infants to date. In this study, we assessed the function of neutrophils in HEU infants using the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test. Among 25 HEU infants, 9 (36%) showed a reduced ability of their neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species upon stimulation with bacteria. No alteration of total neutrophil counts was noted in the blood of HEU infants indicating that the alteration observed in the 36% of HEU infants may only be functional. Conclusively, impaired neutrophil function could be a factor of vulnerability in HEU infants.
Unités de Recherche et de Diagnostics Spécialisés, Laboratoire National de Santé Publique , Libreville , Gabon.
Anicet Christel
AC
Maloupazoa Siawaya
Unités de Recherche et de Diagnostics Spécialisés, Laboratoire National de Santé Publique , Libreville , Gabon.
Amandine
A
Mveang-Nzoghe
Unités de Recherche et de Diagnostics Spécialisés, Laboratoire National de Santé Publique , Libreville , Gabon.
Ofilia
O
Mvoundza Ndjindji
Unité de Virologie, Laboratoire National de Santé Publique , Libreville , Gabon.
Armel
A
Mintsa Ndong
Unités de Recherche et de Diagnostics Spécialisés, Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, Libreville, Gabon; Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Division of Immunology and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Immunology of Infectious Diseases, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Paulin N
PN
Essone
Unités de Recherche et de Diagnostics Spécialisés, Laboratoire National de Santé Publique , Libreville , Gabon.
Joel Fleury
JF
Djoba Siawaya
HIV; infants; neutrophils; nitroblue tetrazolium; reactive oxygen species