Differential impact of age and cytomegalovirus infection on the γδ T cell compartment.

γδ T cells represent a subset of unconventional T lymphocytes that are known for their reactivity against different pathogens and considered as intermediate mediators between adaptive and innate immunity. We provide in this paper further insights underlying the changes that affect the γδ T cell compartment with advanced age in humans. We show that both aging and CMV infection impact independently on the γδ T cell compartment.

Lymphopenia-driven homeostatic regulation of naive T cells in elderly and thymectomized young adults.

Reduced thymopoiesis and continuous mobilization of naive T cells into the effector-memory pool can lead to severe alterations of the naive T cell compartment. However, maintenance of the naive T cell population is essential to mount effective immune responses. Evidence of homeostatic regulation of naive T cells is currently debated in animal models.

[Nutritional support in elderly malnourished patients].

Unlabelled: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS: Protein-calorie malnutrition is frequent and often severe in fragile hospitalized or institutionalized elderly subjects. Underdiagnosis and undertreatment is commonplace. Since under- or malnutrition is more difficult to correct in the elderly than in the young subject, a careful assessment of the nutritional status must be made in order to recognize any nutritional disorder early and initiate proper treatment early.