Abstract: Objective　To study the T Lymphocyte Subsets and the cytokines in the newborns with infectious diseases. MethodsTwenty cases of neonatal bacterial pneumonia (bacterial group), 15 cases of rotavirus enteritis (virus group) and 20 newborns with jaundice (control group) were recruited in this study. The peripheral CD4+T Cells and lymphocyte subsets were assessed by flow cytometry. ResultsThe IL-4 level was significantly different among different groups (F=3.39, P=0.041).
The levels of IL-17 and IFN-γ did not differ significantly among different groups (F=0.28 and 1.24 respectively, P>0.05). The IL-4 level was higher in bacterial group than that in virus group and control group (P<0.05). The percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD19+and NK cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+had significant difference among different groups (F=3.30-26.69, P<0.05). The percentages of CD3+and CD4+cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+were lower in bacterial group and virus group than those in control group (P<0.05). The percentage of CD19+cells was higher in bacterial group and virus group than that in control group (P<0.05). The percentage of NK cells was lower in virus group than that in bacterial group and control group (P<0.05). ConclusionsThe pattern of cytokines level is different in newborns with infection caused by different pathogens. Newborns with infectious diseases have immune dysfunction and Th2-dominated imbalance. The low percentages of T lymphocyte subsets indicate the depressed cellular immunity after infection, which may result in atypical symptom and prolonged disease coue.