Changes in T-Cell Subsets and Serum IFN-γ, IL-17, and IgE Levels in Children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Capillary Bronchitis and Their Clinical Significance

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in T-cell subsets and serum IFN-γ, IL-17, and IgE levels in children with respiratory syncytial virus capillary bronchitis and their clinical significance. METHODS: The clinical data of 50 children with respiratory syncytial virus capillary bronchitis admitted to our hospital between July 2020 and June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, and they were included in the observation group, while 50 children with a healthy physical examination during the same period were chosen as the control group. The T-cell subsets (CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8) and serum IL-4, IL-8, IFN-, IL-17, and IgE levels of children in the two groups were compared, and the clinical significance of the changes in the levels of the indices mentioned above was analyzed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in T-cell subset levels (CD4 and CD8) between the two groups (P > 0.05); the level of CD4/CD8, IL-4, IL-8, IL-17, and IgE in the observation group were substantially higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while the serum IFN-γ levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased CD4/CD8 levels in children with respiratory syncytial virus capillary bronchitis cause an imbalance in the Th1/Th2 immune response, similar to changes in bronchial asthma, suggesting a link between the two diseases. Increased serum levels of IL-4, IL-8, IL-17, and IgE and decreased serum levels of IFN-γ have been seen in children with respiratory syncytial virus capillary bronchitis, suggesting the severity of the children's disease may in part be reflected in the levels of the aforementioned serum indicators.