The Effect of Iron Deficiency on Immune Parameters, Including Memory B Cells and Infection Presentations: A Cohort Study in Premenopausal Women Demir Eksikliğinin Bağışıklık Parametreleri, Bellek B Hücreleri ve Enfeksiyon Bulguları Üzerine Etkisi: Premenopozal Kadınlarda Bir Kohort Çalışması
Genel Tip Dergisi, cilt.35, sa.6, ss.1165-1177, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 35 Sayı: 6
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.54005/geneltip.1694683
- Dergi Adı: Genel Tip Dergisi
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1165-1177
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Humoral iImmunity, immunoglobulin, iron deficiency anemia, lymphocyte subset, memory B cell, perimenopause
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a condition associated with increased susceptibility to infections in the general population and is more common in premenopausal women (PW). Clinical research focusing on humoral immunity and immune memory is limited in contrast to laboratory research. Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of iron deficiency (ID) and IDA on immune function in PW by assessing immunoglobulins, lymphocyte subsets, memory B cell (MBC) quantities, and infection presentations. Methods: A total of 180 PW (34 with IDA, 65 with ID, 81 controls) who presented to the immunology outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center between 2017 and 2024 were included. Measured parameters included hemoglobin, ferritin, immunoglobulins (IgG, A, M) and IgG subclasses, lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD16+56+), and MBCs (CD19+CD27+IgM−IgD−). Results: Compared to controls, the IDA group showed significantly lower total lymphocyte counts (1961.8±608.9 vs 2275.9±702.4 cells/µL, p=0.008), NK cell counts (167.7±90.3 vs 230.5±109.4 cells/µL, p=0.020), and MBC counts (21.9±10.5 vs 33.8±18.6 cells/µL, p=0.003). The percentage of MBCs among B lymphocytes was also reduced (12.2±4.5% vs 14.4±8.4%, p=0.045). Serum IgG levels were significantly lower in the IDA group (10.2±2.0 vs 11.6±2.9 g/L, p=0.017), with a more pronounced reduction in IgG1 (6.2±1.3 vs 7.8±2.4 g/L, p=0.003). Recurrent pneumonia within 3 years was more frequent in the IDA group compared to controls (29.4% vs 9.9%, p=0.021). Conclusions: In PW with IDA, reductions in lymphocytes, NK cells, IgG, IgG1, and MBCs, along with the higher frequency of recurrent pneumonia, indicate a diminished capacity of immune responses against pathogens. Given the role of MBCs in maintaining long-term, even lifelong immune responses, the relationship between IDA and MBC levels warrants further investigation regarding the sustainability of long-term immunity.