Research of dynamics of immune response indicators in patients with infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus

Objective. The article is devoted to the study of the content of the main immune parameters in patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) in the dynamics of the disease. Materials and methods. A clinical examination of IM patients (n = 60) and patients of the control group (n = 20) included the study of complaints, epidemiological history, history of disease and life, objective examination, standard instrumental and laboratory studies in dynamics, detection of EBV DNA in saliva and blood serum, and a comprehensive analysis of immune parameters. The main subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes (CD3 +; CD4 +; CD8 +; CD16 +; CD8 + CD28 +; CD8 + CD28-; CD20 +; CD25 +) were determined by flow laser cytometry on a FACS-Calibur apparatus (USA) using monoclonal antibodies. For identification of INF-γ (Th1-cells), IL-4 (Th2-cells) in the cytoplasm of T-lymphocytes, monoclonal antibodies INF-γ-PC-5, IL-4-PE (eBioscience, Beckman Caulter, R & D System) were used. Results. A comprehensive study of the state of the subpopulations of reacting immune cells revealed significant violations of cellular parts of the immune response compared to the control group. It was established that the immune response in patients with IM during the height of the disease is characterized by an imbalance in the cell link (as evidenced by an increase in the content of CD3+, CD4+, and a simultaneous increase in the content of CD16+, CD25+). In the period of convalescence, violations have been identified that will persist without reaching the levels of the control group in a larger number of IM patients. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate significant changes in the structural characteristics of the cellular immunity system and the multidirectional immune response in IM. The progressive character of changes in immune parameters in IM indicates the formation of a secondary cellular immune imbalance, a change in the balance of immunoregulatory mediators towards the Th2 link during the formation of protracted and chronic forms of EBV-infection.