The Relationship of Serum Levels of Gamma Interferon and its Receptor (CD119) to Development of BCG Axillary Lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenitis is the most common complication of BCG vaccination in children. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays a key role in immune response to Mycobacterial infections. In this study, the relationship of serum levels of IFN-γ and its receptor (CD119) to development of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) axillary lymphadenopathy was investigated.

In this case-control study, 45 children with axillary lymphadenopathy and 45 healthy children matched by age and sex were included. Two ml peripheral blood was collected in tubes containing anticoagulants. Then, level of IFN-γ was measured by ELISA and the level of CD119 expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was measured by flow cytometry. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.0.

Totally, 90 children were enrolled in this study, which consisted of 30 girls and 60 boys. The mean age of participants was 14.5±6.5 months in case group and 15.2±7.1 months in control group, respectively (p=0.61). The level of IFN-γ was significantly lower in case group than in control group (p<0.001), but no significant difference was observed in PBMC percentage between the two groups (p>0.05). There was no significant relationship of age and sex to BCG (INF and PBMC) lymphadenopathy (p>0.05).

Based on the results, IFN-γ level was significantly lower in the BCG lymphadenopathy group than in the control group. Levels of IFN-γR (CD119 cellular level in PBMC) in two groups did not show a significant relationship.