CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT INFECTION

Objective: To evaluate the cell-mediated immune status of children wit h recurrent respiratory tract infections. Design: We evaluated the cel l-mediated immune status of 76 patients referred because of recurrent infection. Patients were divided into those with serologic abnormaliti es and those without such findings. Twenty-three healthy children serv ed as control subjects. Studies of lymphocyte phenotype included CD4() CD29(+) cells (an immunologically mature phenotype), lymphocyte prol iferation studies, cytokine production including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, and interferon gamma), and measurement of in vitro IgM an d IgG synthesis. Results: Lymphocyte proliferation and T-cell phenotyp e were similar in both patient groups as well as in control subjects, The proportions of CD4(+) CD29(+) cells at different ages were similar in all groups, Patients with serologic abnormalities (e.g., partial I gA deficiency, partial IgG subclass deficiency) produced more IL-2 and IL-4 than did other patients. The control population had greater spon taneous IgM and IgG synthesis than the patient groups. Conclusion: Rou tine studies of T-cell function of patients with recurrent infection p rovide little information useful in making clinical decisions.