Delineating the immunological profile of Algerian children with Down syndrome:A case series.

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Published Jan 22, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i11.5770
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Vol. 103 No. 11 (2025): Tunis Med Nov 2025

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Linda Mokrane
Department of Medical Biology, Rouiba Hospital, Algiers University of Health Sciences,16000, Algiers, Algeria.
Azzeddine Tahiat
Department of Medical Biology, Rouiba Hospital, Algiers University of Health Sciences,16000, Algiers, Algeria.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3272-8904
Samira Aggoune
Department of Pediatrics, El-Harrach Hospital, 16000,Algiers University of Health Sciences, Algiers, Algeria
Souad Touri
Department of Pediatrics, Blida University Hospital, University of Blida, 09000, Blida, Algeria
Hayet Belhadj
Department of Pediatrics, Army Mother and Child Hospital, Algiers University of Health Sciences,16000, Algiers, Algeria
Chafa Bendahmane5
Department of Pediatrics, Ain Taya Hospital, Algiers University of Health Sciences,16000, Algiers, Algeria
Ouardia Ibsaine
Department of Pediatrics, Ain Taya Hospital, Algiers University of Health Sciences,16000, Algiers, Algeria
Lila Kedji
Department of Pediatrics, Blida University Hospital, University of Blida, 09000, Blida, Algeria
Réda Belbouab
Department of Pediatrics, Mustapha University Hospital, Algiers University of Health Sciences,16000, Algiers, Algeria
Rachida Boukari
Department of Pediatrics, Mustapha University Hospital, Algiers University of Health Sciences,16000, Algiers, Algeria
Kamel Djenouhat
Department of Medical Biology, Rouiba Hospital, Algiers University of Health Sciences,16000, Algiers, Algeria.

Abstract

Purpose:This study aimed to characterize the immunological profile of Algerian children with Down Syndrome (DS).


Methods: Serum immunoglobulin(Ig) levels were measure dusingnephelometry,and lymphocyte Subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry (FACSLyric™,BDBiosciences,US). The Lymphocyte phenotype in DS patients was compared to that of patients with combined


immunodeficiency(CID).


Results:Our cohort included 33 patients with DS(20 males),and 40 patients withCID(24 males). All Patients had aclinical history of recurrent or severe infections, including upper and lower respiratory Tract infections in 25 patients(76%).Serum Ig were measured in 29 patients, with normal levels of


IgG,IgA,and Ig Min 83%,73%,and 80% of patients,respectively. Elevated IgG,IgA,and IgM levels. Were found in14%,17%,and 3% of patients,while reduced levels were see nin3%,10%,and17% of patients, respectively. Lymphocyte phenotype analysis revealed CD4l ymphopenia in 24(73%) patients, CD8 lymphopeniain19(58%) patients,B-cell lymphopenia in16(48%) patients, and reduced


NK cells in 7 (21%) patients. Naïve CD4+and CD8+T cells were analyzed in nine patients, with low Percentages observed in three. Patients with DS exhibited significantly milder CD3 and CD4


Lymphopenia compared to those with CID.


Conclusion: Children with D Stypically present withT-andB-cell lymphopenia,while maintaining


Generally normal Ig levels. T-cell lymphopenia in DSis less pronounced thaninCID,and the increased Susceptibility to infections stems from both immunological and non-immunological factors linked to trisomy 21.

Keywords:

Down Syndrome, recurrent infections, lymphocyte phenotype, T-cell lymphopenia, Combined immunodeficiency, serum immunoglobulins

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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