The significance of psychoemotional factors in the development of immune insufficiency, infection load and vascular wall changes in practically healthy subjects with risk factors
Purpose. To study the mutual relations between psychoemotional factors and immune system parameters, infection load with intracellular microorganisms and vascular wall changes in practically healthy subjects. Materials and methods. The study of psychoemotional state, the parameters of innate and adaptive immunity, infection load with CMV, HCV-1, <i>C. pneumoniae, </i>the inflammatory process markers (C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines - TNFα, IL-1, IL-4, IL-8, IFNγ) and vascular wall sonography was performed in 243 practically healthy subjects 18 - 60 years of age. Results. All subjects were divided into 2 groups - with high and low levels of psychoemotional stress (PES). The decrease of the adaptive immunity parameters (T and B lymphocyte count); the increase in the incidence of clinical markers of immunodeficiency; the high infection load with intracellular microorganisms (CMV, HCV-1, <i>C. pneumoniae); </i>the increase in concentration of inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-8, IFNγ) were found in the high PES group. Conclusion. Psychoemotional disorders (depression, anxiety, asthenia) are accompanied by the decrease in the body resistance. They contribute to intracellular latent infections (CMV, HCV-1 and <i>C. pneumoniae), </i>the development of latent intravascular inflammation and increased thickness of the vessel wall.