abstract
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Summary Chronic intestinal parasite infection can induce both persistent immune activation and defective responsiveness of T cells. This study aimed to assess the number and function of T regulatory (Treg) cells in children with intestinal parasite infection. We have studied the peripheral blood from 93 children, 53 of them parasitized with protozoa, helminths, or both; the remainder were non parasitized, healthy controls. The number and function of CD4 CD25high and CD4 Foxp3 cells were similar in parasitized and control children. In contrast, there was a significant increase in the levels of CD3 CD69 , CD4 CTLA-4 , and CD8 CD28- T cells in helminth infected children. Moreover, some of these patients showed a diminished response to CD3/CD28 stimulation in comparison with the control children. Our data strongly suggest that whilst Treg cells are not affected by intestinal parasite infection, CD3 CD69 , CD4 CTLA-4 and CD8 CD28- lymphocytes may play an important, but as yet undetermined role in the diminished immune competence observed in parasitized children. © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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Summary Chronic intestinal parasite infection can induce both persistent immune activation and defective responsiveness of T cells. This study aimed to assess the number and function of T regulatory (Treg) cells in children with intestinal parasite infection. We have studied the peripheral blood from 93 children, 53 of them parasitized with protozoa, helminths, or both; the remainder were non parasitized, healthy controls. The number and function of CD4%2b CD25high and CD4%2b Foxp3%2b cells were similar in parasitized and control children. In contrast, there was a significant increase in the levels of CD3%2b CD69%2b, CD4 %2b CTLA-4%2b, and CD8%2b CD28- T cells in helminth infected children. Moreover, some of these patients showed a diminished response to CD3/CD28 stimulation in comparison with the control children. Our data strongly suggest that whilst Treg cells are not affected by intestinal parasite infection, CD3%2b CD69%2b, CD4%2b CTLA-4%2b and CD8%2b CD28- lymphocytes may play an important, but as yet undetermined role in the diminished immune competence observed in parasitized children. © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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