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Immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, IgA and IgG subclass (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) concentrations were determined in more than 500 healthy Turkish children using nephelometric technique. These parameters were thought to be highly varied for different ethnic groups because of environmental and genetic factors. Methodology used in previous studies has been reported to affect age-related normal values. Serum IgG, IgM, IgA and IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 levels were measured in 510, 491, 486, 542, 511, 515, and 545 healthy children, respectively. According to their age, the patients were divided into 14 groups. In contrast to most of the previous studies, age-related normal values for IgG4 levels were also obtained. In conclusion, it has been suggested that our study as an example for Caucasians using nephelometric technique will supply useful information about age-related normal serum immunoglobulin and IgG subclass concentrations.

The aim of this study was to determine serum immunoglobulins, IgG subclasses, lymphocyte subsets, and serum protective antitoxin levels of tetanus and diphtheria, and to investigate specific antibody response to tetanus and diphtheria vaccines in children with cancer who have been treated for leukemias and solid tumors. Forty patients with different types of childhood malignancies were enrolled in this study and their lymphocyte subsets, serum Ig A, M, G and IgG subclass concentrations were determined at completion of chemotherapy and 6 months later. We measured serum diphtheria (D) and tetanus (T) antitoxin levels and investigated specific antibody responses against DT vaccines at 6 months. Only the leukemic children had low CD19+ cells at completion of chemotherapy and 6 months later. The patients with solid tumors had reduced CD4+ cells, but increased natural killer cells at completion of chemotherapy. Serum IgA and IgM levels were decreased in leukemic patients after chemotherapy. There were no IgG subclass deficiency. Forty-two per cent of the patients did not have protective serum T antitoxins. All patients produced high levels of DT antibodies by vaccination. Immune system changes recover by 6 months after cancer therapy in children. Children with solid tumors, as well as leukemias, should be followed-up in terms of immune deficiencies. A repeat dose of tetanus toxoid should be recommended at 6 months.

Aim: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder. Although it is considered as an epithelial disease due to impaired chloride transport, its pathogenesis remains unclear. CF is classified as a syndrome with congenital defects of phagocyte in recent human inborn errors of immunity phenotypic classifications. Neutrophils are the most effective cells in the eradication of bacterial infections such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the phagocyte functions in pseudomonas colonized CF patients. Materials and Methods: A total number of 26 pseudomonas colonized CF patients and 21 healthy controls (gender and age matched) were included in this study. Absolute neutrophil counts (ANC), immunoglobulin values (Ig), the Migratest to evaluate chemotaxis in neutrophils and monocytes, CD11A/CD18/CD15 S (b2 integrin) adhesion molecules, and the Phagoburst test for intracellular bacterial killing were analyzed by flow cytometer. Results: ANC, CD15S expression on neutrophils and IgG, IgA and IgM levels were higher in the CF patients than the control group (p<0.01). The neutrophils oxidative burst activity and the chemotactic ability of the CF patients did not differ from those of the controls. Patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and those with a mutation of 2183AA>G had significantly lower chemotaxis indexes than the others (p=0.01, p=0.01 respectively). Conclusion: Our results from a small group of patients does not support impaired functions such as migration and phagocytosis of neutrophils in patients with CF. Further studies involving more CF patients are needed to make a definitive interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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