Lymphocytosis in children after the Chornobyl NPP accident

OBJECTIVE

To establish the sources of lymphocytosis in children living in ecologically unfavorable conditions after the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident aiming the high risk group formation for oncohematological diseases among the children's population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 226 children with lymphocytosis were surveyed. The of child's life history and kind of somatic morbidity were considered. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of blood cells, biochemical indices including immunoglobulins (A, M, G), circulating immune complexes, phagocytosis indices were assayed.

RESULTS

Children with lymphocytosis were more often born with a high bodyweight, they demonstrated manifestations of constitutional lymphatism, lymphadenopathy and more often had respiratory infections. Quantitative and qualitative changes of hemopoietic elements depended on a type of a disease. Activation of lipid peroxidation, dysimmunoglobulinemia and increased level of circulating immune complexes were revealed. Treatment and preventive actions promoted normalization of hemogram indices in 58% of children surveyed.

CONCLUSIONS

The abnormalities in immune indices, activated lipid peroxidation in membranes of hemopoietic elements, and manifestations of granulocytopoietic disorders were established it children with lymphocytosis. Therefore these children can be attributed tot the group of increased risk on oncohematological disease.

Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis during Helicobacter pylori infection is reduced by antibiotic treatment

AIM

To evaluate clinical, biological and immunological features of patients with increased duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), and its relation to Helicobacter pylori (HP) and coeliac disease (CD).

METHODS

We have studied all patients accrued over a 4-year period with increased duodenal IELs. Those patients were recalled for biological and immunological evaluation and a second endoscopy.

RESULTS

Twenty-three from a total of 639 patients were identified and 17 of them were included in the study. The median duodenal IEL count was 59 per 100 epithelial cells. Twelve (71%) patients were HP+; eight of them received HP eradication. At the second endoscopy the duodenal IEL count was significantly lower 2 months after HP eradication (73 versus 28), while the IEL count was unchanged in those patients seronegative for HP (n = 5) or those in whom it was not eradicated (n = 4) (55 versus 55). No patient had coeliac antibodies, four expressed HLA-DQ2, lower than in the general population, and the prevalence of CD was 2% (12/639 patients).

CONCLUSION

In some cases an increased duodenal IEL count may be due to an inappropriate host response to HP. HP screening and eradication should be considered before recommending a gluten-free diet.

[Polyclonal B lymphocytosis and hyper-IgM: immunodeficiency and/or benign lymphoid proliferation associated with tobacco?]

PURPOSE

To study the association of polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis with binucleated lymphocytes with clinical manifestations suggesting the existence of an immunodeficiency, to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking on this 'benign lymphoid proliferation', to analyze the clonality of lymphocytes, to determine the levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) G, A, M.

METHODS

Description and analysis of the results obtained in four patients and literature review.

RESULTS

Polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis is associated with both a decrease in IgA and IgG and an increase in IgM. Recurrent infectious episodes (bronchitis) were observed in two patients. Transient smoking cessation allowed a decrease in lymphocytosis and IgM levels in two patients. No hematological malignancy occurred during the follow-up, while biological abnormalities persisted.

CONCLUSION

Persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis may be associated with minor clinical features of immunodeficiency. Smoking cessation may sometimes lead to a decrease in lymphocytosis and IgM.

[Changes in immune status due to anesthesia and surgical intervention. The role of thymopentin and interleukins]

OBJECTIVE

Purpose of the study was clinical evaluation of thymopentin and interleukins in the changes of immunity due to anesthesia and surgical operation.

DESIGN

After randomization the patients were divided into four groups according to starter type (thiopental or propofol) and immunological pre-treatment (tymopentin or saline of control group) administered for three days before and two days after operation.

SETTING AND PATIENTS

The study was effected on 40 patients undergoing venous vascular surgery in operating rooms of Medical School of University of Genoa.

MEASUREMENT

At pre-established times (basal, before and after induction, recovery and 72 postoperative hours) were measured some immunological data (plasmatic concentrations of red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocyte cells, antibodies, complement analysis, interleukins 1 and 2).

RESULTS

The results show a depression of immunity with hypoleucocistosis and hyperlymphocytosis due to surgical trauma or to anesthesia drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-treatment with thymopentin no change perioperative immunity and the role of interleukins isn't clear; the immunological depression is the same in thiopental of propofol groups.