FEATURES OF THE IMMUNE STATUS IN INFANS WITH PNEUMONIA

Aim. A study of the immune status of infants who became ill with pneumonia for the first time. Material and Methods. Evaluation of cellular and humoral immunity for 86 infants hospitalized in the 1st pediatric department of Lviv City Children Hospital over pneumonia eripheral blood in children with pneumonia is characterized by leukocytosis with lymphocytosis. Reduction of the absolute and relative number of Tlymphocytes (CD3+ cells), T-helpers/inductors (CD4+) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes/suppressor (CD8+) has been found. Relative and absolute number of B-lymphocytes (CD22+ cells) and CD16+ cells - natural killer cells was increased. Phagocytic activity of neutrophils and phagocytic number were at the level of control. The increase of serum immunoglobulins A and E has been determined as well as elevated levels of circulating immune complexes. The concentrations of immunoglobulins M and G were not significantly different from the control and were within reference values. Conclusions. Disturbance of the immune system in infants with pneumonia is defined by a decreasing number of total T-lymphocytes (CD3+), T-helpers (CD4+) and T-cells cytotoxic/suppressors (CD8+), an increase in the number of T-lymphocytes (CD22+ cells) and natural killer cells (CD16+), increased levels of immunoglobulins A, G, E and circulating immune complexes. There were no significant age differences between cell parameters in children with pneumonia, but the humoral immune response was vivid in 7-12 months children. Key words: infants, pneumonia, immune system