Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze T-lymphocyte subsets and Th1/Th2 cytokines in convalescent patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated aplastic anemia (AA). Methods: Sixty AA patients were enrolled, who were in remission following immunosuppressive therapy, including 34 EBV-negative cases and 26 EBV-positive cases. Their complete blood count (CBC), T-lymphocyte subsets, Th1/Th2 cytokines were analyzed. The correlation between EBV-DNA and T-lymphocyte subsets was evaluated, as well as the relationship between EBV-DNA and Th1/Th2 cytokines. The presence of EBV-DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was also assessed in 60 normal controls. Results: EBV-DNA was detected in 26/60 (43.33%) patients and 21/60 (35.00%) controls. EBV-DNA copy number in AA patients was higher than in controls (Z = −2.138, P = 0.033). The percentage of CD3 + CD4 + T-lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4 + /CD8 + T-lymphocytes in the EBV-negative group were higher than in the EBV-positive group (P = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). EBV was positively correlated with CD3 + CD8 + T-lymphocyte percentages (Pearson R: 0.496, P = 0.009). Moreover, EBV was positively correlated with IL-10 and IFN-γ levels (Pearson R: 0.559, P = 0.002 and Pearson R: 0.621, P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: EBV-DNA copy number in AA patients was higher than in normal controls. Both AA and EBV infection may cause changes in the levels of T-lymphocyte subsets. We recommend monitoring the changes in the immune function and EBV infection simultaneously in AA patients, especially following immunosuppressive therapy.
Background. Feeding intolerance (FI) is a common complication that may cause great harm to preterm infants. The mechanism of FI remains unclear, but probiotics may help prevent and alleviate its symptoms. We hypothesized that the alteration in gut microbiota may be associated with the development of FI. Our study aimed to investigate the association between gut microbiota and FI in preterm infants. Methods. Ninety-seven preterm infants were divided into the FI group (N=42) and the feeding tolerance (FT) group (N=55) depending on whether the infants were diagnosed with FI. The fecal samples of each infant were collected on the 7th day after birth. Fecal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Plasma motilin were detected on day-1, 7, 14, and 21. Results. The microbial diversity of the FI group was significantly lower than that of the FT group. The abundance levels of phylum Proteobacteria, class Gammaproteobacteria, genera such as Escherichia/Shigella were higher in the FI group than in the FT group. The abundance levels of phylum Firmicutes, class Negativicutes, and genus Veillonella were higher in the FT group than in the FI group. The motilin levels on days 7 and 14 were negatively correlated with the FI-enriched genera Planomicrobium and Vibrio, respectively. Our study also found gut microbiota was correlated with FI clinical characteristics, including gestational age, birth weight, age of FI diagnosis, age of FI disappearance, and FI duration. Conclusions. Altered gut microbiota is associated with FI in preterm infants. FI cases typically have lower microbial diversity, a decreased abundance of beneficial bacteria, and an increased abundance of pathogenic bacteria. Gut microbiota is correlated with the clinical characteristics of FI. The decrease in motilin secretion caused by some bacteria may lead to the occurrence of FI.
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