Innate Immune Responses in Children and Adults with Shigellosis

An array of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators of the innate immune system was analyzed in stool, urine, and rectal mucosa samples from adults and children with shigellosis to better understand their role in recovery from and in the immunopathogenesis of the disease. Increased concentrations of lactoferrin (Lf), myeloperoxidase (MPO), prostaglandin E(2), and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) in stool during acute shigellosis in both children and adults indicated that activated cells of the innate defense system at the mucosal site were secreting the mediators. Increased concentration of MPO and 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) and lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in stool during acute Shigella infection suggested increased formation of reactive oxygen species, free radical-catalyzed peroxidation of membrane lipids, and decreased scavenging of…