Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski

Low serum IgA and increased expression of CD23 on B lymphocytes in peripheral blood in children with regressive autism aged 3-6 years old

Jolanta Wasilewska1, Maciej Kaczmarski1, Anna Stasiak-Barmuta2, Jolanta Tobolczyk2, Ewa Kowalewska3
Arch Med Sci 2012; 8, 2: 324-331
DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2012.28561
Copyright © 2012 Termedia & Banach

A b s t r a c t
Introduction: Immune system dysfunction is considered to be one of many medical
disorders found in children with autism. The primary objective of the study
was to assess if blood tests reflecting humoral immunity (IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE) are
useful in identifying children with regressive autism. The secondary objective
was to evaluate a part of the cellular arm of immunity (CD4/CD25 Tregs,
CD4/CD23 cells) in those children.
Material and methods: Using a clinical case-control design, the systemic levels
of immunoglobulins and lymphocyte subpopulations analysed by flow cytometry
were compared in children aged 3-6 years old with a new diagnosis of regressive
autism (n = 24; mean age: 4.25 ±1.70 years; male 23/24) and in sex- and
age-matched healthy children (n = 24; aged 4.25 ±2.20 years; male 23/24).
Results: The humoral immunity profile, described by three binary variables,
IgA < 0.97 g/l, IgE > 36 IU/ml, and IgG > 6.3 g/l, with a sensitivity of 79% and
a specificity of 83% (p < 0.0001), was able to identify children with autism. The
highest risk of autism diagnosis was associated with IgA < 0.97g/l (OR – 23.0;
p < 0.001). A higher number of CD19/CD23 was found in children diagnosed with
autism than in the control group (36.82 ±6.72% vs. 18.20 ±3.95%; p < 0.02). No
correlation between the number of CD23-positive cells and serum IgE levels was
observed.
Conclusions: A subtle shift of serum immunoglobulins consisting of low-normal
IgA and B cell activation expressed by an increase of CD23-positive cells may
characterize children with regressive autism aged 3-6 years old.

Naš citat referenca 20
20. Spiroski M, Trajkovski V, Trajkov D, et al. Family analysis of immunoglobulin classes and subclasses in children
with autistic disorder. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2009; 9: 283-9.