Peripheral blood T cells response in human parainfluenza virus-associated lower respiratory tract infection in children

Human Parainfluenza virus (HPIV) causes lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) mostly in young children. Respiratory viral infections may decline T cells in circulation and display enhanced pathogenicity. This study is aimed to analyze T cells alterations due to HPIV in children with LRTIs. Children (N = 152) with bronchitis or pneumonia, admitted in tertiary care hospitals were included in the study. Respiratory samples (throat or nasopharyngeal swabs) were taken and HPIV genotypes (1–4) were analyzed through RT-PCR. Peripheral blood T cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+, were analyzed in confirmed HPIV positive and healthy control group children through flow cytometry. The positivity rate of HPIV was 24.34% and the most prevalent genotype was HPIV-3 (20.40%). HPIV-1 and HPIV-2 were detected in 0.66% and 02% children respectively. The T lymphocyte counts were observed significantly reduced in children infected with HPIV-3. CD4+ cell (1580 ± 97.87) counts did not change significantly but the lowest CD8+ T cell counts (518.5 ± 74.00) were recorded. Similarly, CD3+ and CD19 cell ratios were also reduced. The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher (3.12 ± 0.59) in the study population as compared to the control group (2.18 ± 0.654). Changes in the count of CD8+ T cells were more pronounced in patients with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. It is concluded that CD8+ T cells show a reduced response to HPIV-3 in children with severe LRTIs suggesting a strong association of these cells with disease severity.