The role of immuno-mediated dysregulation in the progression of allergic pathology in military personnel under occupational stress

Abstract

In order to identify clinical and immunological predictors of the progression of allergopathology in military personnel participating in special operations under conditions of professional stress, 43 military personnel participating in special operations divided into two groups were examined. Group 1 consisted of officers with allergopathology or who first debuted symptoms of allergic diseases during or within 6 months after participating in special operations (n = 13, average age 36.4±4.5 years). Group 2 included officers participating in special operations who did not have symptoms of allergic diseases (n = 13, average age 36.4±4.5 years). The analysis of complaints and medical documentation were carried out. Clinical and laboratory examination was performed without exacerbation of somatic pathology. The immune status was assessed by the expression of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+, CD19+, HLA-DR+, intracellular FoxP3 content in CD4+CD25+T cells, granzyme B in CD3-CD16+ and CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes using appropriate monoclonal antibodies (Beckman Coulter) and taking into account the results on the cytofluorometer “FC 500”. Immunological monitoring was performed before participation in hostilities and 6 months after return. A comparative assessment of the cellular and humoral state of military personnel of both comparison groups before leaving for an area with an unfavorable operational situation revealed the following differences. In the group of military personnel with allergic manifestations, significantly fewer CD4+ lymphocytes were noted, as well as significantly fewer CD3+CD4+CD25+FoxP3 regulatory lymphocytes and an increase in the number of circulating B lymphocytes were recorded. When dynamically monitoring the parameters of the cellular and humoral immune response in military personnel participating in hostilities, 6 months after returning from a business trip to areas with an unfavorable operational situation, unidirectional changes in the immune status were recorded in the form of a violation of the differentiation processes of the T cell link of the immune system. In the group of servicemen suffering from allergic diseases, the revealed changes were accompanied by a weakening of the processes of physiological immunosuppression in the form of a persistent decrease in the content of regulatory T lymphocytes in the dynamics of observation for 6 months.