ISSN: 0973-7510

E-ISSN: 2581-690X

Gaytri Koley and K.C. Koley
Department of Pediatrics, PIMS Medical College and Hospital, Jalandhar – 144 006, India.
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2011;5(1):185-189
© The Author(s). 2011
Received: 30/07/2010 | Accepted: 01/09/2010 | Published: 30/04/2011
Abstract

The present work was undertaken to study the immune profile of pre-school going children with Pulmonary Tuberculosis. 40 children visiting the OPD aged between 2-5 years, who were diagnosed as Pulmonary Tuberculosis or Pulmonary plus other site (Disseminated) Tuberculosis. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken and mononuclear cells were harvested. Lymphocyte suspensions were prepared and Lymphocyte proliferation was assessed in vitro after BCG stimulation. The cytokines IFN-g, IL-2, and IL-4 in these suspensions  were assayed as per Genzyme protocol provided with the kit. The tests were repeated after 3 months and at 6 months at the end of treatment using a standard protocol.

Children with only pulmonary tuberculosis showed a higher lymphocyte proliferation index as compared to children with disseminated disease. The cytokines  secreted by cells  from patients with a limited and only pulmonary disease  showed a significant pattern of a Th1 pattern of cytokine secretion with large amounts of IFN-g and IL-2 as compared to children with disseminated disease which responded with a Th2 pattern of cytokine release and  mainly IL-4 secretion. Th1 cytokines in only pulmonary tuberculosis were associated with a better outcome .The presence of Th1 pattern of cytokines can be used to predict a better prognosis in pulmonary tuberculosis and a mixed pattern of cytokine secretion that is Th0 in disseminated tuberculosis is also associated with a favorable outcome in pre-school going children.

Keywords

Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Disseminated, Lymphocyte Proliferation index, Cytokines, Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukins (IL-2, IL-4)

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© The Author(s) 2011. Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License which permits unrestricted use, sharing, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.