ABSTRACT
Cell mediated and humoral immunity, immunoregulation compartment, phagocyte system and interferon status were analyzed during the first day of life in 96 newborns from mothers with cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus infections as well as in 20 newborns from mothers with physiological course of the pregnancy and delivery. As a result of this study the next characteristics were found in newborns of the experimental group: activation of T-compartment of immunity with intense emigration of increased number of early precursor T lymphocytes into the peripheral blood; alteration of the immunoregulation compartment with reduction (or a tendency of reduction) of absolute number of T lymphocytes (CD3(+)), CD4(+) helpers-inducers, the cytotoxic T lymphocyte fraction within CD8(+) cells and increase of the T suppressor fraction; increase of the level of cells, which express receptors for IL-2 (CD25(+)); increase of the number of NK and activated NK (CD16(+)CD8(+)); decrease of the absolute and relative number of mature B lymphocytes (CD20(+)); increase of IgM and IgA synthesis; increased level of the immature forms of neutrophiles and reduced phagocytic ability of some phagocytes; reduction of IFN-ggr; and increase of IFN-alpha level. Thus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus were shown to affect unfavorably the development of immunity during ontogenesis with alteration of the immune homeostasis, reflecting intrauterine activation of the antigen-specific immune response. All above mentioned may serve as an indication for immunocorrecton therapy, and in particular for IFN preparations with aim to correct immune and IFN deficiency among such children immediately after their birth.
ABSTRACT
Interferon status, cell-mediated and humoral immunity were analyzed in 52 newborns during the first day of life, who were born from mothers infected with cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus and treated with viferon in the complex therapy. Comparative group included 44 newborns from mothers with the same infections, who did not receive viferon in the complex therapy. IFN status before delivery as well as parameters of immunity in pregnant women before and after viferon therapy were investigated. Analysis of the phenotype characteristics of lymphocytes in women, treated with viferon, showed increase in relative number of T lymphocytes, CD8(+) lymphocytes, growth of decreased and reduction of increased values of immunoregulatory index, increase in relative number of natural killers. Titers of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma were higher as compared to both the control group and the values in untreated with viferon pregnant women. Decrease of IFN-alpha production and increase of IFN-gamma level were found when IFN status was evaluated in newborns of the experimental group as compared to newborns from mothers, who were not treated with viferon. Viferon treatment of pregnant women was shown to result in normalization of phenotype characteristics of lymphocytes of newborns, in increasing HLA DR antigen expression and inhibition of antigen stimulation, reducing number of NK and activated NK. Thus, viferon treatment of pregnant women with CMV and HSV infections in the 3rd trimester of gestation contributed to favorable course of pregnancy, enhanced antiviral immunity, and reduced frequency of intrauterine infections. Viferon treatment of the infected mothers decreased antigenic load of fetal immunity and normalized immunological parameters in newborns, contributing to development of normal immune response in case of intrauterine infection.
