Assessment of neutrophil functions in children with latent tuberculosis infection with different sensitivity to recombinant tuberculosis allergen

Purpose. To evaluate the ability of neutrophils to form extracellular traps in children with latent TB infection with different sensitivity to recombinant tuberculosis allergen (ATR) to form an individual approach to therapeutic and preventive measures. Material and methods. The study involved 22 children with a moderate and mild reaction to ATP (group 1) and 31 children with a pronounced reaction (group 2). Results. According to the general clinical blood test, there were no differences between the groups. The median of intact neutrophils in group 1 was 52.0, in group 2 – 35.6 (p=0.251). The median of hyperactivated neutrophils in group 1 was 10.7, in group 2 – 2.9 (p=0.0295). Conclusion. In the group with a pronounced reaction to ATR (group 2), there was an increased readiness of neutrophils to form extracellular traps (the number of early NETosis cells exceeds that in the comparison group) and a greater number of formed cloud-like neutrophil extracellular traps (incomplete NETosis). At the same time, in children with a calmer reaction to the test with ATR (weak and moderately expressed), the readiness of neutrophils to form extracellular traps is observed, but at the same time hyperactivation of the neutrophil and the formation of full-fledged thread-like neutrophil traps are achieved.