IgG antibody response to pneumococcal-conjugated vaccine (Prevenar®13) in children with immunodeficiency disorders.

Measurement of anti-pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (anti-PnPs) IgG titers is an important tool in the immunologic assessment of patients with suspected immunodeficiency disorders (ID) to reduce the morbi-mortality and minimize severe infections. Retrospectively, we studied the relationship among anti-PnPs IgG response to 3 doses of Prevenar®13, levels of immune system components, leukocyte populations, and clinical data in children with ID. Serum samples were collected at least 4 weeks post vaccination. Subsequently, multi-serotype enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed. Eighty-seven children (under 12 years) were enrolled. Primary immunodeficiency disorder (PID) was the most common disorder (45) followed by possible immunodeficiency disorder (POID) (19), secondary immunodeficiency disorder (SID) (15), and mixed immunodeficiency disorder (MID) (8). The median age was 3 (1.50-5.33) years, 65% of patients were male. Deficient production of anti-PnPs IgG (titer ≤ 50 mg/L) was detected in 47 patients (54%), especially in the MID group, all of them under immunosuppressive therapy. In PCV13 responders, the mean of leukocyte population levels was higher with statistically significance differences in CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocytes (p = 0.372, p = 0.014) and CD56 + /CD16 + NK (p = 0.016). Patients with previous bone marrow transplantation were the worst PCV13 responders. Pneumococcal IgG antibody titers (post-vaccination) along with clinical and analytical markers represented.

Comparison of reference systems in the assessment of age-related serum immunoglobulin levels in pediatric patients

Background/aim: Ig level assessment is frequently used in the diagnosis and follow-up of immunodeficiency, as well as in studies investigating the prevalence of low serum Ig level in specific diseases. Materials and methods: Patients who underwent Ig testing in the inpatient and outpatient clinics of our hospital in the years 2010­2016 were included. The Ig levels of the patients were assessed separately according to two reference systems commonly used in Turkey and another reference system used in the USA. Results: A total of 20,138 patients (57.6% male) were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 55.7 months (interquartile range: 23.1­96.7). According to the reference intervals determined by Tezcan et al., 30.6% of the patients were deficient in one or more Ig values. This rate was 4 times higher than those based on the reference intervals determined by Aksu et al. (7.7%) and those in the Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics (6.8%). We also determined that the frequency of low Ig levels with three reference systems Conclusion: In this study, we found that the rates of low Ig level in a group of pediatric patients differed significantly when evaluated using three different reference systems for age-related serum Ig levels

Successful transfer of passive immunity: the natural alternative to antibiotics for boosting the survival of intensively reared dairy goat kids.

In dairy operations, antibiotics have traditionally been used to treat, prevent, and control diseases. However, given the mounting global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), farmers are urged to re-assess and reduce their reliance on antibiotics. Thus, this randomized, double-blinded cohort study aimed to estimate the prevalence of failed and successful transfer of passive immunity (FTPI and STPI) in dairy goat kids reared under commercial conditions, and the effects of antibiotic metaphylaxis on the pre-weaning (≤42 d old) mortality in FTPI and STPI kids. Plasma concentration of immunoglobulin G at 1d old (pIgG-24 h) was measured in 747 male Saanen kids for the determination of FTPI and STPI (pIgG-24 h < 12 and ≥12 g/L, respectively). Kids were then randomly divided into two groups: those receiving a single penicillin injection at 1 d old (PEN), and those receiving no treatment (CTR). The mean (±SD) pIgG-24 h and initial BW (IBW) were 17 ± 9.8 g/L and 4.1 ± 0.64 kg. The prevalence of FTPI was 29% (220/747 kids). Gastrointestinal complications were the primary cause of death (41%), followed by septicemia (22%) and arthritis (17%). A single penicillin injection reduced preweaning mortality by 55% (10 vs 22%, PEN vs CTR). However, results suggest that such a decline was mainly driven by the improved survival rates among FTPI kids, which increased by 19% (from 62% in CTR-FTPI to 82% in PEN-FTPI), as opposed to an 8% increase among STPI kids (from 85% in CTR-STPI to 93% in PEN-STPI). Additionally, the odds of mortality ≤ 42 d old were threefold higher in the CTR-FTPI group when compared to both the CTR-STPI and PEN-FTPI groups, suggesting a potential parity between STPI and PEN for mortality rate reduction. Taken together, the results indicate that although metaphylactic antibiotics can halve preweaning mortality, similar improvements are likely to be achieved via increased STPI rates. Furthermore, by targeting metaphylactic interventions to high-risk groups (i.e., those displaying signs of inadequate colostrum intake and/or low birth BW), farmers could reduce treatment costs and mitigate AMR risks. While these findings carry considerable weight for commercial dairy goat practices, their applicability to other systems (i.e., extensive, semi-intensive, mohair, meat systems) warrants further investigation.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulins in Human Milk after Coronavirus Disease or Vaccination-Time Frame and Duration of Detection in Human Milk and Factors That Affect Their Titers: A Systematic Review.

Human milk (HM) of mothers infected with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 contains specific immunoglobulins, which may protect their offspring against infection or severe disease. The time frame and duration after infection or vaccination, during which these immunoglobulins are detected in HM, as well as the major factors that influence their levels, have not been fully elucidated. This systematic review aimed to collect the existing literature and describe the immune response, specifically regarding the immunoglobulins in HM after COVID-19 disease or vaccination in non-immune women. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases to identify studies published up until 19 March 2023. In total, 975 articles were screened, and out of which 75 were identified as being relevant and were finally included in this review. Infection by SARS-CoV-2 virus primarily induces an IgA immune response in HM, while vaccination predominantly elevates IgG levels. These immunoglobulins give HM a neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding during the pandemic. The mode of immune acquisition (infection or vaccination) and immunoglobulin levels in maternal serum are factors that seem to influence immunoglobulin levels in HM. Further studies are required to determine the impact of other factors, such as infection severity, lactation period, parity, maternal age and BMI on immunoglobulin level in HM.

Six month assessment of low dose rituximab in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Aim of the work: To evaluate the 6-month treatment responses to low dose rituximab (LDR) compared to standard dose rituximab (SDR) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients whose treatments were disrupted due to the pandemic with increased disease activity and to examine the effect of LDR treatment on serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels. Patients and methods: Records were retrospectively analysed for 80 patients on SDR not admitted to the hospital due to fear of infection during pandemic, with increased disease activity and were resumed on LDR (500 mg intravenous RTX-infusion twice with 15 days intervals, and repeated for the second time in all patients after 6 months). Disease activity score (DAS-28) values were obtained. The Ig levels of the patients before and after rituximab treatment were calculated. Results: The mean age of patients was 55.1 ± 13.1 years. They were 46 (57.5%) female and 34 (42.5%) male (F:M 1.4:1) with median disease duration of 13 (0.5-50) years. After the second dose of LDR, there was a significant decrease in the disease activity DAS28 (6.5 ± 1.01 to 3.2 ± 1.2, p < 0.0001) and acute phase reactants with a tendency to decrease in Ig levels. After LDR, 6 (7.5%) patients developed COVID-19 infection that did not require hospitalization. There was no difference between the Ig levels of patients with and without COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: LDR is an effective treatment option in the treatment of RA. In our study, none of our patients developed severe COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization, and LDR may be preferred during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Effects of ginseng soluble dietary fiber on serum antioxidant status, immune factor levels and cecal health in healthy rats.

As an important component of ginseng, the in vivo benefits of ginseng water-soluble dietary fiber (ginseng-SDF) have not been fully revealed. To explore these benefits, healthy rats were given ginseng-SDF (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight/day) by gavage for 15 days. The results showed that ginseng-SDF significantly improved the rats' growth performance and serum antioxidant status. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1 and IGF-2) and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, and IgG) levels in the ginseng-SDF groups were increased. High-dose ginseng-SDF significantly increased the cecal butyric acid proportion compared with the K group. Ginseng-SDF increased the abundance of Firmicutes and promoted the proliferation of probiotics such as Lactobacillus, and cellulose decomposers such as Ruminococcus and Clostridium in cecal microflora. These altered microflora were correlated with growth performance, antioxidant status and immunoglobulin indexes. The above results suggested that ginseng-SDF might have positive effects on growth, oxidative-immune levels and cecal health in rats.

Immune Status 'in Children with Beta Thalassemia' in Correlation 'with Iron Overload': Single Center Egyptian Study.

BACKGROUND: 'Beta thalassemia is inherited hemoglobin disorder resulting in chronic hemolytic anemia that requires lifelong transfusion therapy'. 'Repeated blood transfusions and RBCs hemolysis are the main causes of iron overload', which in addition to immune abnormalities, are common predisposing factors to infections in patients with thalassemia. The Aim of this Work: The aim of this work was to study immune status including T lymphocyte subsets and serum immunoglobulin levels 'in children with beta- thalassemia in correlation with iron overload'. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present 'study was conducted on 40 children with beta thalassemia major under follow up at Hematology Unit, Pediatric Department, Tanta University' 'including 24 males and 16 females with mean' age value of 9. 22 ± 3.9 years and 20 'healthy children of matched age and sex as a control group'. All children included in the study were subjected to; 'complete blood count, Hb electrophoresis, serum iron status', T cell subsets including CD3, CD4 and CD8 and serum immunoglobulin levels including IgM, IgA and IgG. RESULTS: 'Pallor and jaundice were the most common presenting' clinical manifestations. Infective episodes 'were significantly higher in patients' compared with controls. There were significantly lower Hb, MCV and MCH levels and significantly higher WBCs and platelets counts, reticulocytes and lymphocytes percentage in patients than controls and no significant differences in MCHC between patients and controls. Serum ferritin and iron were 'significantly higher but TIBC was significantly lower in' patients than controls. CD3, CD4 and IgM were significantly lower but CD8, IgG, and IgA 'were significantly higher in patients than controls' with negative correlation between CD3, CD4, IgM and ferritin and positive correlation between CD8, IgG, IgA and ferritin. CONCLUSION: Iron overload can affect humeral and cell mediated immunity in patients with beta thalassemia with reduction of IgM, CD3 and CD4 and elevation of CD8, IgG, and IgA. RECOMMENDATIONS: Regular follow up of patients with beta thalassemia for detection of iron overload as it affects humeral and cell mediated immunity.

An assessment of selected immune parameters of patients with Hodgkin's disease.

Malignancy and oncologic treatment lead to various secondary immune disorders. In particular, little is known regarding immune reconstitution following cancer therapy. Lymphocytes, their subpopulations and immunoglobulin serum concentrations were assessed in patients with Hodgkin's disease at diagnosis (group I, 26 patients), cessation of therapy (group II, 21 patients) and 2 years after treatment (group III, 18 patients). Absolute lymphocyte count was significantly decreased in group II only (15/21 vs. 6/26 and 0/18 patients). In group I, the absolute count of the following subsets were decreased: Cluster of differentiation 19+ (CD19+) (18/26 patients), CD3+ (13/26), CD3+CD4+ (11/26) and CD3+CD8+ (7/26). In group II, the reduction of CD19+, CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ cell counts was evident (12/21, 16/21 and 19/21 patients, respectively), with the CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio distinctly lowered in the majority of patients (16/21). Similar changes in the percentages of lymphocyte subsets were observed. In the majority of patients in group III, the percentage of lymphocyte subsets were normal, but absolute lymphocyte counts were elevated (CD19+ in 11/18, CD3+ in 12/18, CD3+CD4+ in 13/18 and CD3+CD8+ in 11/18 patients). In half the patients at diagnosis, immunoglobulin G (IgG) was significantly elevated. In conclusion, disorders assessed in the percentage distribution and individual subpopulations of lymphocytes was applicable mainly to patients at the time of the diagnosis and shortly following completion of treatment. The analysis of time-distant consequences showed disorders only in the content of the percentage of CD4+ memory cells. The concentration of IgG at the time of diagnosis was significantly elevated in half the patients, which is possibly associated with the pathogenesis of the disease. The treatment does not appear to noticeably affect the production of IgG, IgA and IgM.