IMMUNOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION OF CHILDREN WITH SEVERE

Barnabás Rózsai^1*Diana Simon²Timea Berki²Gabriella Kiss¹Bernadett Mosdósi¹

• ¹Departments of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• ²Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

Purpose: Although the number the incidence of serious bacterial pneumococcal infections has decreased is decreasing worldwide following the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13), invasive infections still occur. This study aimed to investigate We investigated the immunological function of children with severe parapneumonic effusion (PPE) during hospitalization and after full recovery.Methods: This was a prospective, single center study. Children with PPE were admitted to in our clinic from between January 1, 2011. to and June 30, 2023, were participated in the study.Due to severity of the effusion, the large amount of PPE, all cases required the use of thoracic drainage and some children underwent required fibrinolysis and/or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). At admission Demographic and clinical data and laboratory results were recorded. collected at admission. Patients underwent Extended immunological testing were performed at the time of clinical admission and again 6-8 weeks after discharge.Results: A total of 66 episodes of PPE were identified. During hospitalization, one patients was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and another one with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. Extended immunological evaluation was performed done during the follow-up of in 49 patients. Within In this cohort, seven patients were diagnosed with mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency and three patients with specific antibody deficiency. In total, immune dysfunction was were confirmed in 12 patients. When comparing the immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised groups, the duration of hospitalisation was longer in the immunocompromised group, while and no other differences were observed.Although the incidence of severe serious cases of PPE has declined decreased since the introduction of PCV13 vaccines, immunological evaluation remains essential for 3 identifying underlying examination is warranted to detect immunodeficiencies. Despite vaccination, immunological screening of patients with PPE for immune dysfunction is important. Early diagnosis detection and timely treatment initiation of therapy can help prevent organ damages and reduce long-term that may determine morbidity.