Immunological parameters in girls with Turner syndrome

Abstract

Disturbances in the immune system has been described in Turner syndrome, with an association to low levels of IgG and IgM and decreased levels of T-and B-lymphocytes. Also different autoimmune diseases have been connected to Turner syndrome (45, X), thyroiditis being the most common.Besides the typical features of Turner syndrome (short stature, failure to enter puberty spontaneously and infertility due to ovarian insufficiency) ear problems are common (recurrent otitis media and progressive sensorineural hearing disorder).Levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and the four IgG subclasses as well as T-and B-lymphocyte subpopulations were investigated in 15 girls with Turners syndrome to examine whether an immunodeficiency may be the cause of their high incidence of otitis media. No major immunological deficiency was found that could explain the increased incidence of otitis media in the young Turner girls.

The role of X-linked FOXP3 in the autoimmune susceptibility of Turner Syndrome patients

“…Interestingly, two studies have reported a decrease in the CD4 to CD8 lymphocyte ratio in the peripheral blood of TS patients [12,14]. Consistent with these two previous reports, we also found that TS patients have a decreased CD4 to CD8 ratio compared with controls ( p =0.02, Figs.…”

Autoimmune diseases in Turner syndrome

“…This data is not entirely in concordance with some more recent studies [14,15]. Also Stenberg et al [16], that investigated immunoglobulin and lymphocyte subpopulations in TS to explain the increased incidence of otitis media of these individuals, did not find any major immunological deficiency.…”

Autoimmune stigmata in Turner syndrome: When lacks an X chromosome

“…These laboratory abnormalities seem to be clinically silent, since in TS infectious diseases are not more frequent than in general population, except for otitis media [11].…”