BORDETELLA-PERTUSSIS RESPIRATORY-INFECTION IN CHILDREN IS ASSOCIATED WITH PREFERENTIAL ACTIVATION OF TYPE-1 T-HELPER CELLS

The mechanism of protective immunity against Bordetella pertussis gene rated following recovery from whooping cough in childhood has not yet been elucidated, Studies with a murine respiratory infection model hav e indicated that cellular immunity, mediated by Th1 cells, plays a rol e in the clearance of a primary infection with B. pertussis and in pro tection against subsequent challenge, In the present study, the induct ion of B. pertussis-specific Th cell subsets in children was examined. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from B. pertussis-infected or conv alescent children proliferated and secreted cytokines following antige n stimulation in vitro. In contrast, responses were weak or undetectab le in the majority of children who had not been infected or vaccinated , in all cases, responding T cells produced interferon-gamma but low o r undetectable interleukin-5. The findings suggest that Th1 cells may play a role in protective immunity generated following infection with B. pertussis in children.