Lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in adenoviral infection in children

To determine the distribution of major blood lymphocyte subsets we evaluated blood lymphocytes by flow cytometry in adenovirus‐infected infants aged 30–730 d. In addition, interleukin‐1‐receptor antagonist, interleukin‐10 and transforming growth factor‐β1 were measured in serum by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. According to clinical parameters, mechanical ventilation and outcome, infections were classified as moderate (n= 15), severe (n= 11) and fatal (n= 12). Controls were 13 healthy children. In severe and fatal infection, T cells (CD5+/CD19‐), NK effectors (CD16+), CD4+ T subset and B1 subset of B lymphocytes (CD5+/CD19+) were all significantly decreased. CD8+ cells were decreased in severe but not fatal cases. There was no difference in serum values of interleukin‐10; however, fatal cases had high interleukin 1‐receptor antagonist values. Interestingly, patients with moderate infection showed significantly increased values of transforming growth factor‐β1. These results demonstrate that life‐threatening adenoviral infection is associated with marked abnormalities in blood lymphocyte and cytokine profile.