HLA-DR Expression on Monocyte Subsets in Critically Ill Children

BACKGROUND: To longitudinally study blood monocyte subset distribution and human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) expression on monocyte subsets in children with sepsis, post-surgery and trauma in relation to nosocomial infections and mortality.

METHODS: In 37 healthy children and 37 critically ill children (12 sepsis, 11 post-surgery, 10 trauma and 4 admitted for other reasons)-participating in a randomized controlled trial on early versus late initiation of parenteral nutrition-monocyte subset distribution and HLA-DR expression on monocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry upon admission and on days 2, 3 and 4 of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay.

RESULTS: Upon PICU admission, critically ill children had a higher proportion of classical monocytes (CD14++CD16-) than healthy children [PICU 95% (interquartile range [IQR] 88%-98%); controls, 87% (IQR 85%-90%), P < 0.001]. HLA-DR expression was significantly decreased within all monocyte subsets and at all time points, being most manifest on classical monocytes and in patients with sepsis. Percentage of HLA-DR expressing classical monocytes [upon PICU admission 67% (IQR 44%-88%); controls 95% (IQR 92%-98%), P < 0.001], as well as the HLA-DR mean fluorescence intensity [upon PICU admission 3219 (IQR 2650-4211); controls 6545 (IQR 5558-7647), P < 0.001], decreased during PICU stay. Patients who developed nosocomial infections (n = 13) or who died (n = 6) had lower HLA-DR expression on classical monocytes at day 2 (P = 0.002) and day 3 (P = 0.04), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Monocytic HLA-DR expression decreased during PICU stay and was lower compared with controls on all examined time points, especially on classical monocytes and in children admitted for sepsis. Low HLA-DR expression on classical monocytes was associated with nosocomial infections and death.