Follow-up evaluation of the immunological status of children admitted for acute cerebral nervous system infections: a retrospective study

Italian Journal of Pediatrics

Carsetti Rita¹  Piano Mortari Eva¹  Bozzola Elena²  Giulia Spina²  Villani Alberto²  Marco Roversi²  Cristina Mascolo² 

[1] B cell Physiopathology Unit, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy;University/Hospital Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric and Infectious Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy;

关键词: Acute cerebral nervous system infections;    Children;    Immune system;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13052-021-00973-1

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAcute Cerebral Nervous System Infections (ACNS) may cause death or severe complications even to promptly treated children. The role of the immune system in influencing the course and the outcome of meningitis has been studied but it is not yet completely understood. The aim of the research is to ascertain whether children who experienced ACNS infection had a normal immune system.MethodsPatients under 18 years of age admitted at Bambino Gesù Children from January 2006 till June 2016 for meningitis were asked to participate to the follow-up study. The immune status was evaluated both clinically and by laboratory investigations.ResultsMost of the patients over 3 years at follow up had at least one immunological alteration at follow-up evaluation (74%). Considering ACNS infection etiology, certain pathogens were almost exclusive of patients affected by some immunological alteration, regardless of their age.DiscussionOur preliminary results indicate that sub-clinical immunological defects may be associated to ACNS pediatric infections. Moreover, to the best of our knowledges, this is the first study correlating pathogens to immune evaluation in ACNS infections. It is, however, important to underline the high frequency of persistent immunological alterations in the analyzed patients. Further studies are needed to confirm our conclusions.ConclusionsWe recommend an immunological assessment at follow up evaluation in children who experienced an ACNS infection.

【 授权许可】

CC BY