Increased Frequency of Th17 Cells in Children With Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia.
BACKGROUND
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae, MP) is recognized globally as a significant cause of primary atypical pneumonia in humans, particularly in children. Overzealous host immune responses are viewed as key mediators of the pathogenesis of M. pneumoniae infection. Although Th17 cells have been identified as key modulators in the clearance of pathogens and induction of autoimmunity caused by excessive immune responses, little is known about the role of Th17 cells in patients with M. pneumoniae infection.


METHODS
The percentages of T cells, CD4+ T cells and Th17 cells in children with M. pneumoniae infection were measured by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
We documented an increased frequency of Th17 cells in children with M. pneumoniae infection. Furthermore, we found a significantly higher percentage of Th17 cells in M. pneumoniae-infected children with extrapulmonary manifestations, compared with children without extrapulmonary manifestations. In addition, patients who experienced a short course of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) showed an increase in the percentage of Th17 cells.


CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that Th17 cells may be involved in the clearance of M. pneumoniae during an acute infection. Excessive Th17 cell responses may also contribute to the immuno-pathological damage observed during persistent infection.
['Wang|Xiaowei|X|', 'Chen|Xiaojun|X|', 'Tang|Heng|H|', 'Zhu|Jifeng|J|', 'Zhou|Sha|S|', 'Xu|Zhipeng|Z|', 'Liu|Feng|F|', 'Su|Chuan|C|']
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes D002675:Child, Preschool D005260:Female D005434:Flow Cytometry D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D008297:Male D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric D058504:Th17 Cells
Th17 cells children Mycoplasma Pneumoniae respiratory infection