Peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell pool in individuals chronically exposed to radiation over a long-term period

Changes in the peripheral blood cellular composition were observed in the long term period in the residents of the Techa riverside villages chronically exposed to radiation, which may be the consequence of structural and functional disorders in the pool of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and progenitor cells. Therefore, the study was aimed to quantify peripheral blood CD34+ cell pool in individuals chronically exposed to radiation over a long-term period. Sixty years after the onset of exposure, a total of 153 individuals were examined, who were divided into four groups: individuals exposed in utero and postnatally (the average postnatal absorbed dose was 570 mGy); individuals exposed only postnatally (the average postnatal absorbed dose was 790 mGy), and two comparison groups, in which the average postnatal absorbed dose to red bone marrow did not exceed 70 mGy. Absolute and relative peripheral blood CD34+ cell counts in chronically exposed individuals were assessed by flow cytometry. No changes in CD34+ cell counts compared to comparison group were revealed in the group of individuals exposed in utero and postnatally; no age-related changes were registered as well. However, a significant decline in absolute HSC and progenitor cell counts with increased absorbed dose to red bone marrow was observed. In the group of individuals exposed only postnatally, there was a significant increase in peripheral blood CD34+ cell counts compared to comparison group (p = 0.004 for absolute cell count; p = 0.009 for relative cell count), dose-dependent increase in peripheral blood HSC and precursor cell counts (p = 0.02 for absolute cell count; p = 0.03 for relative cell count), along with age-related decline in these cells’ counts (р = 0.02 for absolute cell count; p = 0.04 for relative cell count).

Immunological outcomes after six months with first line antiretroviral therapy: a lesson from Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Introduction: More than 1,300 children aged 0-14 years were infected with HIV in Indonesia by 2016. Adequate antiretroviral therapy (ART) can increase nutritional and immunological status, reduce incidence of opportunistic infection and mortality caused by HIV infection. After ART initiation, the children’s treatment response needs to be monitored with CD4+ cell count and Viral Load (VL) evaluation. In resource-limited setting, clinical and immunological parameters can be used to evaluate ART outcomes. The aimed of this study to know immunological status of the patient after 6 months ART in Dr. Sardjito Hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2010 to May 2016. HIV-infected children aged 0-18 years who were given first-line ART at least 6 months were included in this study. Age when ART initiation, gender, residence, nutritional status, clinical staging based on WHO criteria, incidence of hospitalization, baseline CD4+ cell count and CD4+ cell count after 6 months of therapy, tuberculosis treatment, and ART regimens were collected from medical records. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 Results: Thirty-five subjects were included in this study. Median CD4+ T cell percentage increased from 3.16 (IQR 1-18) % to 11.0 (IQR 2-32) %, whereas median CD4+ absolute cell count increased from 9.5 (IQR 3-176) cell/mm3 to 419.5 (IQR 202-1428) cell/mm3. Conclusion: Immunologic conditions could improve even with very low levels of CD4+ T cell percentage and CD4+ absolute cell count. Monitoring immunologic conditions and adherence of children with ART are essential to improve treatment outcomes.