Frontiers in Immunology (Jun 2025)
Immunopathogenic and clinical implications of advanced tissue analysis in non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections in children
- Maximilian Seidl,
- Maximilian Seidl,
- Maximilian Seidl,
- Elham Bavafaye Haghighi,
- Elham Bavafaye Haghighi,
- Anne Kathrin Lösslein,
- Anne Kathrin Lösslein,
- Markus Hufnagel,
- Florens Lohrmann,
- Florens Lohrmann,
- Christian Schneider,
- Daniela S. Kohlfürst,
- Werner Zenz,
- Gregor Gorkiewicz,
- Cornelia Feiterna-Sperling,
- Renate Krüger,
- Peter Bronsert,
- Christina Neppl,
- Kim Zoe Sommer,
- Verena Stehl,
- Melanie Boerries,
- Melanie Boerries,
- Martin Kuntz,
- Martin Kuntz,
- Philipp Henneke,
- Philipp Henneke,
- Philipp Henneke,
- Philipp Henneke
Affiliations
- Maximilian Seidl
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Maximilian Seidl
- Center for Pathology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Maximilian Seidl
- Institute of Pathology, Heinrich Heine University and University Hospital of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
- Elham Bavafaye Haghighi
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Goettingen, Germany
- Elham Bavafaye Haghighi
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Anne Kathrin Lösslein
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Anne Kathrin Lösslein
- Institute for Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Markus Hufnagel
- Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Florens Lohrmann
- Institute for Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Florens Lohrmann
- Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Christian Schneider
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Daniela S. Kohlfürst
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Werner Zenz
- 0Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of General Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Gregor Gorkiewicz
- 1Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Cornelia Feiterna-Sperling
- 2Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Renate Krüger
- 2Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Peter Bronsert
- Center for Pathology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Christina Neppl
- Institute of Pathology, Heinrich Heine University and University Hospital of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
- Kim Zoe Sommer
- Institute of Pathology, Heinrich Heine University and University Hospital of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
- Verena Stehl
- Institute of Pathology, Heinrich Heine University and University Hospital of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
- Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Melanie Boerries
- 3German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner site Freiburg, a partnership between DKFZ and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Martin Kuntz
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Martin Kuntz
- Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Philipp Henneke
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Philipp Henneke
- Institute for Infection Prevention and Control, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Philipp Henneke
- Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg/Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Philipp Henneke
- 4CIBSS – Center for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1597074
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 16
Abstract
ObjectivesInfections with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in children usually affect the lymph nodes and surrounding tissue. Although the infection is typically self-limiting, it carries a substantial risk of complications due to persistent inflammation and invasive therapeutic interventions. Yet, the immunopathogenesis of the disease is obscure, as are biomarkers guiding treatment decisions.MethodsIn this observational study, we analyzed histological samples collected in the NTMkids study to identify parameters associated with impaired wound healing and complicated disease progression. Samples from 33 patients (median age at first presentation 33 months) were investigated, with two consecutive biopsies in 9 patients.ResultsGerminal centers, a scattered distribution of granuloma associated CD4+ T-cells, higher CD8+ T-cell density inside the necrosis and foamy epitheloid cells were associated with a favorable outcome. Tissue damage presenting clinically as liquefaction was associated with an adverse outcome.ConclusionsThe identified tissue reaction patterns in NTM infections provide insights into the biology of NTM lymphadenitis in children and may aid in more precise treatment decisions.
Keywords