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Immunological insights: assessing immune parameters in medical professionals exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
- Source :
-
BMC infectious diseases [BMC Infect Dis] 2024 Aug 26; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 865. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 26. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- Background: The immunological background responsible for the severe course of COVID-19 and the immune factors that protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate immune system status in persons with high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection.<br />Methods: Seventy-one persons employed in the observation and infectious diseases unit were qualified for the study between November 2020 and October 2021. Symptomatic COVID-19 was diagnosed in 35 persons. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were also found in 8 persons. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the concentrations of cytokines and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were determined by ELISA.<br />Results: The percentages of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), CD28 <superscript>+</superscript> and T helper (Th) cells with invariant T-cell receptors were significantly higher in persons with symptomatic COVID-19 than in those who did not develop COVID-19' symptoms. Conversely, symptomatic COVID-19 persons had significantly lower percentages of: a) CTLs in the late stage of activation (CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> /CD95 <superscript>+</superscript> ), b) NK cells, c) regulatory-like Th cells (CD4 <superscript>+</superscript> /CTLA-4 <superscript>+</superscript> ), and d) Th17-like cells (CD4 <superscript>+</superscript> /CD161 <superscript>+</superscript> ) compared to asymptomatic COVID-19' persons. Additionally, persons with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies had a significantly higher lymphocyte count and IL-6 concentration than persons without these antibodies.<br />Conclusion: Numerous lymphocyte populations are permanently altered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. High percentages of both populations: NK cells-as a part of the non-specific response, and T helper cells' as those regulating the immune response, could protect against the acute COVID-19 symptoms development. Understanding the immune background of COVID-19 may improve the prevention of this disease by identifying people at risk of a severe course of infection.<br />Trial Registration: This is a retrospective observational study without a trial registration number.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s).)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-2334
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC infectious diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 39187767
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09772-5