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T-lymphocyte subpopulations in tuberculosis.
S Swaminathan1, K S Nandini, L E Hanna
1Tuberculosis Research Center, Chennai, 600 031, India. Center for pulmonary and Infectious Disease Control, University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Texas, USA.
Indian Pediatrics
|May 23, 2000
Summary
Pediatric tuberculosis is linked to lower numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells. Treatment for tuberculosis in children effectively restores these vital immune cell counts.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) impacts cell-mediated immunity, causing both qualitative and quantitative immune defects.
- Immune system alterations in children with TB, particularly lymphocyte profiles, remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in lymphocyte subpopulations in children diagnosed with tuberculosis.
- To assess the impact of antituberculosis therapy on these lymphocyte changes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted involving children at referral hospitals.
- Lymphocyte subpopulations were analyzed using flow cytometry.
- Participants included healthy controls, children with newly diagnosed pulmonary TB, and children undergoing TB treatment.
Main Results:
- Children with TB exhibited reduced absolute numbers and percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells compared to healthy controls.
- A significant increase in CD4+ T cell counts was observed after antituberculosis therapy.
- The proportion of T cells expressing the gamma delta T cell receptor remained similar between TB patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric tuberculosis is associated with a systemic reduction in CD3+ and CD4+ T cells.
- Antituberculosis therapy leads to a reversal of these T cell deficits in children.