Abstract
The continuing tension of the tuberculosis epidemic situation and the limited information on standard diagnostic methods for latent tuberculosis infection dictate the need to search for methods that allow us to assess with a high level of probability the risk of latent infection transitioning to local forms. The aim: To highlight the features of the NETosis-forming function of neutrophils in children in the early period of primary tuberculosis infection with a positive reaction to the ATR. Materials and methods. Using the author’s technique (patent for invention No. 2768152 C1 dated 06.10.2021), the NETosis-forming function of neutrophils was studied in 60 children in the early period of primary tuberculosis infection, divided into 3 groups: 30 patients with negative reactions to ATR, 30 with positive reactions to ATR. The control consisted of 30 healthy volunteers not infected with M. tuberculosis. Results. In children with a positive reaction to ATR, a decrease in the proportion of all types of activated neutrophils is observed compared to children with a negative reaction to ATR: hypoactivated neutrophils — up to 1.4% versus 7%, activated neutrophils — up to 0.8% versus 10.2%, early NETosis cells — 2.9% versus 10.0% (p<0.05), a higher intensity of formation of all types of extracellular neutrophil traps: cloud-like — 9.0 versus 4.2%, filiform — 28.8% versus 17.8% (p<0.05). Conclusion. In the early period of primary tuberculosis infection, in children with positive reactions to the test with recombinant tuberculosis allergen features of the neutrophil NETosis-forming function are determined, consisting in high intensity of formation of all types of extracellular neutrophil traps against the background of depletion of the pool of activated cells and lower functional viability of the formed traps. The obtained results open opportunities for developing methods for drug correction of the identified disorders to prevent the development of local forms of tuberculosis in children with latent tuberculosis infection.