Adaptive immunity in melioidosis: a possible role for T cells in determining outcome of infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Melioidosis is a potentially fatal disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Individuals with subclinical melioidosis have no apparent clinical signs or symptoms, and are identified only by positive serology. The present study is the first to investigate cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses following in vitro stimulation with B. pseudomallei antigens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), collected under field conditions in Papua New Guinea (PNG) from individuals with exposure to B. pseudomallei (n = 13). While five had a clinical history of melioidosis (C+), the remaining individuals (n = 8) were seropositive, yet healthy with no clinical history of melioidosis (S+/C−). Proliferation and IFN-γ production were significantly greater in lymphocyte cultures from S+/C− individuals compared to C+ individuals (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). These findings demonstrate that compared to C+ patients, individuals with subclinical melioidosis have a stronger CMI response to B. pseudomallei antigens in vitro. Such a response may be essential for protection against disease progression.
Journal
Clinical Immunology
Publication Name
Clinical Immunology
Volume
113
ISBN/ISSN
1521-7035
Edition
N/A
Issue
1
Pages Count
7
Location
N/A
Publisher
Academic Press
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
San Diego, USA -CA
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1016/j.clim.2004.06.006