Immune Function Test in Children with Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Objective:To investigate the humoral and cellular immunity in children with mycoplasma pneumonia (MPP). Methods: 28 children with MPP aged 1～5 were divided into acute-stage and convalescence groups, and another 20 normal children of the same age range were recruited as controls. Similarly, 50 children with MPP aged 5～12 were divided into acute-stage and convalescence groups, and another 50 normal children of the same age range were recruited as controls. IgG, IgM, IgA and T-lym subgroups of these subjects were studied. Results: among subjects aged 1～5, levels of IgG, IgA, IgM and CD8 + of convalescence group were higher than those in acute-stage and control groups (P0.05), but were not different between the latter two (P05). CD4 + level and CD4 +/CD8 + of convalescence group were lower than those of acute-stage group and control group (P0.05) but were not different between the latter two (P05). Among subjects aged 5～12, levels of IgG, IgA, IgM and CD8+ of the groups in order was: convalescence group acute-stage group control group (P0.01). CD4 + level and CD4 +/CD8 + of the groups in order was : convalescence group acute-stage group control group (P0.01). Conclusion: Immune damage plays an important role in the pathogenesis of children MPP. The immune response is milder in younger children with rapid recovery and gets more severe in elder children.