PPD REACTION, DYSFUNCTION OF TH1/TH2 SUBSETS AND CLINICAL
EFFECTS OF TREATMENT USING BCG-PSN IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA
KH-Chen, XD Zhao & WH Gao
Children¡¯s Hospital, Chongqing University of
Medical Sciences, Chongqing, China
Objective: To observe the relationship
between dysfunction of TH1/TH2 subsets and PPD
reaction in children with asthma, also to observe the clinical effects of
treatment using BCG-PSN.
Methods: Fifty-two children in
remission stage of asthma were enrolled in this study. PPD reaction, serum
IL-4, IFN-gamma and IgE was determined before and after treatment of
BCG-PSN. At a dose of 0.5 mg each time, three times a week for 4 to 6 weeks
and a prolonged duration of same dose, twice a week for 8 to 10 weeks. One
to two follow-ups monthly were conducted within the cause of treatment.
Results: Before treatment, 22 cases
showed positive PPD reaction and 30 cases showed negative results. The
positive reaction group were more serious than the positive reaction group
significantly. Serum IL-4, IgE levels of the negative reaction group were
higher than those of the positive reaction group. However, serum IFN-gamma
level of the former was markedly lower than that of the latter. After
treatment of BCG-PSN, serum IL-4, IgE levels significantly decreased and
serum IFN-gamma level increased. Nine cases showed positive PPD reaction
after treatment. There is no obvious difference in clinical effects of
treatment using BCG-PSN in two groups.
Conclusion: It has been
demonstrated that BCG-PSN is a potentially immunoregulatory strategy, which
may be clinically used in treatment on asthma, via its role in regulating TH1/TH2
subsets function.