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For millennia, the mankind has been trying to fight the causative agent of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but morbidity and mortality rates, unfortunately, remain high all over the world. The purpose of our work was to specify changes of immunohistochemical parameters in different areas of the lungs in stable tuberculosis. We have studied 30 cases of stable tuberculosis in male patients. The study concerned two 2 areas: the tuberculoma capsule and adjacent areas (perifocal zones). The comparison group consisted of resected material from upper lobes of the right lung, taken from 10 men who died in accidents and did not have tuberculosis during their lifetime. This group was called “conditionally healthy” controls. To assess the signs of local immune response, an immunohistochemical method was used using monoclonal antibodies to CD8, CD4, CD79a, Fascin. When assessing location of the markers expressed in the lung tissues of “conditionally healthy” group, the number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was determined mainly in the interstitial space. The numbers of CD4+ cells in this study group prevailed over CD8+ cells, whereas CD79a+ and Fascin+ cells were found in small quantities within interstitial space. In stable tuberculoma, a greater number of lymphocytes were detected in the capsule with a predominance of T killers over T helpers. In perifocal area of stable tuberculoma, the number of immune cells was reduced when compared to the “conditionally healthy” group. At the same time, we determined the areas where CD4-positive lymphocytes formed contacts with interstitial macrophages. The number of CD79a positive cells was mainly determined in the connective tissue capsule of tuberculoma, with single cells on the periphery, being close to macrophages. Fascin-positive cells in both capsule and perifocal zone of stable tuberculoma were rare, being mainly localized around blood vessels. When studying correlations in the “conditionally healthy” group, a moderate positive relationship between cytotoxic lymphocytes and T helper cells was revealed. In the capsular area of stable tuberculoma, strong positive correlations were found for CD4+/CD79a and CD79a/CD8+ pairs; in the peripheral zone of the lungs, correlations were revealed only between CD79a and CD8+ cells. Hence, the degree of activity of the tuberculosis process in the capsule and perifocal areas of stable pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with different cellular interactions which exert double control from both cellular and humoral immunity.

Objectives: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder caused by increased platelet destruction and altered production. Despite the well-described pathophysiological background of immune dysregulation, current treatment guidelines consist of monotherapy with different drugs, with no tool to predict which patient is more suitable for each therapeutic modality. Methods: In our study, we attempted to determine differences in the immune setting, comparing the patients' responses to administered therapy. During 12-month follow-up, we assessed blood count, antiplatelet autoantibodies, and T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood in 35 patients with ITP (newly diagnosed or relapsed disease). Results: Our data show that the value of antiplatelet autoantibodies, the percentage of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and the immunoregulatory index (IRI, CD4+ / CD8+ T cell ratio) differ significantly by treatment response. Responders have a higher IRI (median 2.1 vs. 1.5 in non-responders, P = 0.04), higher antiplatelet autoantibodies (median 58 vs. 20% in non-responders, P = 0.01) and lower relative CD8+ T cells count (P = 0.02) before treatment. Discussion: The results suggest that immunological parameters (antiplatelet autoantibodies, relative CD8+ T cell count and IRI) could be used as prognostic tools for a worse clinical outcome in patients with ITP. Conclusion: These biomarkers could be utilized for stratification and eventually selection of treatment preferring combination therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Immunodiagnosis is essential for studying possible changes in the immune system, which, together with the nervous and endocrine systems, constitutes the only necessary regulatory system of the body. Among such studies, the state of the cellular link of immunity is critical. These studies play an essential role in preventing diseases and increasing the effectiveness of diagnostics. The immunoregulatory index, which allows us to assess the immunophysiological status of the direction of adaptive processes and the risk of autoimmune damage to cellular structures, is of critical importance in assessing the state of the immune system. The immunoregulatory index is sensitive to various effects and diseases of the body: liver disease, obesity, mononucleosis, and radionuclide contamination of an area. Scientific studies demonstrate that this index depends on the breed characteristics of animals, has seasonal fluctuations, and is proposed for determination in the selection process for the genetic improvement of already existing breeds. In current conditions, the use of service dogs to search for explosives, people under rubble, and narcotic substances is increasing. It is essential to observe the state of animals' health because the quality of their official duties will depend on it. In this study, the immunoregulatory index was evaluated in dogs, which allows us to objectively assess the immune status of their body and prevent the development of a secondary immunodeficiency state. In this study, the immunological characteristics of a dog's body were established, allowing for a quick reaction to any changes in the immune status and the development of an immunodeficiency state. The immunoregulatory blood index was determined to indicate the ratio of T-helpers and T-suppressors. The immunoregulatory index of the spleen was determined as the ratio of CD4+ cells to CD8+ cells in the field of view of a microscope (eyepiece 10, objective 40) after obtaining histological preparations according to generally accepted methods. It was found that the number of T-helpers decreased by 0.13 × 1012/L, while the number of T-suppressors increased non-significantly by 0.01 × 1012/L after intensive exercise during tasks. The immunoregulatory blood index of dogs was 2.1 ± 0.1 and 1.7 ± 0.13 before and after intensive exercise, respectively. Lymphocytes with markers CD4+ and CD8+ were located almost all in the white pulp; in the red pulp, they were found alone, and their share was 3.4% and 1.9%, respectively. Lymphocytes with CD4+ markers in the spleen's white pulp were mainly concentrated in lymphoid nodules (60.7%), of which 20.1% were focused on the marginal zone, and slightly less in the light center (19.4%) and the periarterial zone (18.1%). Lymphocytes with CD8+ markers in the spleen's white pulp were also mainly concentrated in lymphoid nodules, but their number was 8.1% higher (68.8%). The immunoregulatory index of the spleen is 1.9. These findings emphasize the need for the assessment of the immunoregulatory index in service dogs to prevent the development of secondary immunodeficiency and allow them to properly perform their official duties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the literature on the morphological features of the poultry thymus. Since the preservation of livestock and disease prevention is a constant problem, the issue of poultry care will always remain in the forefront. Efforts to preserve the population and increase their productivity are directly related to strengthening poultry immunity and the state of their immune system. The study of the morphology of immune system organs allows us to objectively assess the effectiveness of methods for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, as well as to identify critical periods of development of the immune system and the body as a whole. When assessing the immune status of poultry, much attention is paid to the state of lymphoid organs, including the thymus. Currently, aspects related to the dynamics of development of immunocompetent organs during the postnatal period of ontogenesis and the time frame of their involution remain unresolved. Understanding the morphological features of the thymus and its changes is a key element in assessing the function of the immune system. It was found that with the growth and development of chicks, the absolute and relative weight of the thymus increases. However, at the onset of reproductive maturity, these values decrease significantly. Involution of the thymus mass occurs, the boundary between cortical and cerebral substances becomes less distinct, and the cellular composition of the thymus changes. The process of age-related involution is accompanied by a decrease in lymphoid tissue and T-lymphocytes. It is worth noting that the total number of circulating T-lymphocytes remains stable, as this population includes long-lived cells that do not require constant renewal. In this context, there is a change in the ratio of cortical and cerebral substances, the growth of connective tissue stroma and adipose tissue. It is noted that stress factors are one of the causes of early thymic involution, and the degree of development and morphological state of the thymus significantly affect the body's resistance to infections. Changes in the structure and morphometry of the chicken thymus can be an important criterion for the morphological diagnosis of immunodeficiencies in poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to study the subpopulation composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with long — term chronic post-traumatic uveitis (CPT).Patients and Methods. There were 131 people aged 17 to 87 years, who received the surgical treatment in the Department of plastic surgery and eye prosthetics in NMITS eye diseases Helmholtz of the Ministry of health, Russia, where the removal of the eyeball by evisceration was carried out in 101 patients (70.3 %), 30 patients (29.7 % of cases) were enucleated. The study identified two groups: the Ist group– with the outcome of the injury, including non-penetrating (n = 46) and penetrating wounds (n = 51) of the eyes, were 97 patients; group II included 34 patients with complications due to single (n = 8) or repeated (n = 26) ophthalmic surgery (development of glaucoma and retinal detachment).Results. When analyzing the mean values, we found a decrease in the relative number of CD3+ CD4+ helpers/inducers in the blood of patients of both groups (up to 43.5 ± 0.81 and 42.19 ± 1.29 % versus 45.7 ± 1.19 % in the control), statistically confirmed for the 2nd group. Individual analysis revealed multidirectional shifts from the norm of cellular immune status of patients with PU in both groups. The most interesting, in our opinion, results were obtained by analyzing the relative number of effector cytotoxic cells of adaptive and nonspecific immunity. The increase in the relative content of t-cytotoxic lymphocytes CD3+ /CD8+ and NK-lymphocytes CD16+ /CD56+ was revealed with the same frequency, approximately in 18.5 and 19.5 % of cases in the PU group at the outcome of injury, in the 2nd group the increased number of these subpopulations was observed more often, amounting to 23.5 and 20.5 %, respectively.Conclusions. The results of the study on a large clinical material indicate that in long-term CPTU there is a pronounced systemic imbalance in the immunoregulatory subpopulations of lymphocytes, revealed by individual analysis in groups of patients.

Changes in the number and ratio of various subclasses of T-lymphocytes under the influence of moderate systematic physical activity were studied in people with different physical fitness. Participants in groups 1 and 2 who voluntarily participated in this study were randomized by age and gender. Volunteers included in groups 3 and 4 were selected for research among elite basketball athletes at the level of the highest sports achievements. Participants of groups 2 and 4 underwent training according to the proposed method of power fitness. An increase in the number of T-helpers in the blood of athletes was found, as well as an improvement in the calculated indicator - the immunoregulatory index under the influence of systematic moderate physical exertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied changes in the amount and the ratio between various subclasses of T-lymphocytes in 25 basketball athletes (qualification of MS and MSIC, 28.2 ± 5.3 years old) and 60 persons (27.8 ± 5.1 years old) who before participating in the study did not play sports and have a sedentary lifestyle. The amount of different subclasses of T-lymphocytes was measured in all the participants. Blood sampling was performed before the start of the study and in 2 months. All the participants were divided into four groups: groups II and IV were trained for 2 months according to the author's technique of power fitness. As a result of the proposed physical activity, an increase in the amount of T-helpers in the blood of group IV athletes was found as well as an improvement in the immunoregulatory index. The proposed power fitness technique had a positive effect on the immunity indicators of people who have not been previously involved in sports. For this numerous category a longer period of continuous sports activities can be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study objective: study of the nature of changes in the immune system of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in combination with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and without it; comparative analysis of similar indicators of patients with type 1 DM in combination with AIT and without it.Materials and methods. 104 patients at the age of 22 to 62 y.o. (57 women and 47 men) took part in the study. They were divided into 4 groups (type 2 DM, type 2 DM and AIT, type 1 DM, type 1 DM and AIT). Groups of patients who were examined regarding the state of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, indicators of the T-cell link of the immune system, concentration of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-6, interferon-gamma, and leptin level, were comparable regarding their sex, age, duration of disease.Results. Unidirectional relationship between body mass index (BMI), amount of CD4 +-, CD8+- lymphocytes, level of leptin, IL-4, IL-6 concentrations and BMI and immunoregulatory index of patients with type 2 DM both with AIT and without it was determined. Patients with type 2 DM displayed decreasing activity of the T-cell link of the immune system and increasing of the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines irrespectively of the availability of accompanying AIT, which evidenced primary development of autoimmune processes. At the same time, positivecorrelating relationship between the level of leptin and BMI and immunoregulatory index of patients with type 2 DM both with AIT and without it was revealed (r = 0.83; р < 0.005; r = 0.77; р < 0.01; r = 0.9; р < 0.001, and r = 0.53; р < 0.05 respectively), which demonstrates autoimmune directivity of immune system disorders in combination with metabolic shifts.Conclusion. For the purpose of performance of simultaneous correction of metabolic and immunological disorders of patients with type 2 DM, it is necessary to determine immunological indicators (of the CD+- range of lymphocytes). The latter is caused with higher occurrence of AIT with patients with type 2 DM as compared to the general population.