P119 Dysregulated IL-23R and CD25 T cells in post -COVID-19 Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis patients

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

 

Objectives

To study the IL-23R (Th17) and CD25+ (Treg) in CD4 + T cell populations in rhino-orbital mucormycosis post-COVID-19 patients and in healthy controls.

Methods

The study included 20 cases of mucormycosis and 20 healthy controls. Nasal crust, collected post-surgery was subjected to KOH/culture for mycological identification. Venous blood sample (3 ml) was collected in EDTA vials from cases and controls and stained with different monoclonal antibodies such as CD3, CD4, CD25, and IL-23R for analyzing the expression of Th17 and Treg cells by flow cytometry. The assays were performed at the time of enrolment of patients and repeat blood samples were taken from each patient for staining 3 months later after treatment prescribed by Otorhinolaryngologists. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software and the P-value ≤ .05 considered as significant. All the data are expressed as the mean ± SD.

Results

All the cases were found positive by KOH and confirmed for Rhizopus arrhizus by culture.

The flow cytometry analysis showed that the percentage of CD4 + IL-23R+ (Th17) cells was significantly high in patient before treatment compared to healthy controls and found to be lower post 3 months of antifungal treatment. The percentage positivity of CD4 + CD25+ (Tregs) cells was decreased in patients (before treatment) as compared to controls and after treatment groups. The percentage positivity of CD4 + CD25 + cells was significantly increased in patients after treatment.

Conclusion

We observed a noticeable immune imbalance, with elevated CD4 + IL-23R Th17 and diminished CD4 + CD25 + T regulatory cells. The findings imminently indicate the mechanism of immune dysregulation involving Th17 and Treg pathways in mucormycosis and provide evidence that restoration of Th17/Treg may be considered as a therapeutic option for long-term benefit. Recovery of CD4 + CD25 + T cells after treatment indicated a favorable phenotype outcome.

Cytogenetic Analysis for Suspected Chromosomal Abnormalities; A Five Years Experience

INTRODUCTION

Chromosomal abnormalities are the results of alterations in the number or structure of chromosomes causing significant human morbidity and mortality. They are responsible for a large proportion of miscarriages, developmental delay, disorders of sexual development, congenital malformations and mental retardation.

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of different chromosomal abnormalities in North Indian patients referred for cytogenetic analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Total of 859 patients ranging from newborn to 37 years of age were referred to the division of genetics, Department of Paediatrics between 2010 and 2015, with a variety of clinical disorders; Down syndrome (DS), Turner's syndrome (TS) and Klinefelter syndrome; amenorrhea; ambiguous sex and multiple congenital malformations. Chromosomal analysis was performed on lymphocyte culture according to standard methods.

RESULTS

Of the 859 cases studied, 371 (43.1%) had chromosomal abnormalities. The most common autosomal abnormalities were DS 302 (81.4%) and sex chromosomal abnormalities were TS 51 (13.7%). Numerical abnormalities were accounted for 353 (41.0%) and structural abnormalities 18 (2.0%), respectively. Various other chromosomal anomalies were also reported.

CONCLUSION

We have reviewed the incidence and distribution of chromosomal abnormalities and found higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities 43.1% in the referred cases. Our data suggest that chromosomal analysis is important tool in the evaluation of genetic disorders and helps clinicians to provide accurate diagnosis and proper genetic counselling.

Specific replication factors are targeted by different genotoxic agents to inhibit replication

When mammalian cells experience DNA damaging stress, they block DNA replication to avoid erroneous replication of the damaged template. The cells that are unable to respond to DNA damage continue faulty DNA replication that results in incorporation of genomic lesions. To understand the regulation of replication machinery during stress, systemic studies have been carried out but they have been restricted to the evaluation of the mRNA levels and therefore have not been able to identify post-transcriptional changes, vital for immediate blocking of the progressing DNA replication. We have recently discovered that an essential replication factor is downregulated by radiation stress. In this study, we have carried out a systematic evaluation of protein levels of entire replication apparatus after different types of DNA damage. We report that, independent of the status of p53 and retinoblastoma protein, mammalian cells choose targets that are essential for prereplication, preinitiation, and elongation phases of replication. We imposed different kinds of stress to discern whether similar or unique responses are invoked, and we propose a model for inhibition of replication machinery in which mammalian cells target specific essential replication factors based on the experienced stress.