[Cytomegalovirus infection and the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets in RAU patients]

To study the quantitative changes of the T-lymphocyte subsets in RAU patients with different stages and to know the influences of cytomegalovirus(CMV) on cellular immunity in RAU patients.

CD4(helper/inducer) and CD8(suppressor/cytotoxic) cells in the peripheral blood were tested with monoclonally immunocytochemical technique (APAAP method) in 26 ulcerative stage patients and 10 inactive patients.

The percentages of CD4 and CD8 cell were 36.19% and 29.38% respectively in ulcerative stage. The ratio of CD4/CD8 was 1.28 and it was inverted (< 1.0) in 26.92% of the patients. The percentages of CD4, CD8 cells was 39.90% and 34.21% in inactive stage respectively. The ratio of CD4/CD8 was 1.17. The number of CD4 and CD8 cells in ulcerative stage and CD4 cells in inactive stage was significantly lower than the normal values, P < 0.05. The number of CD8 cells in inactive stage was not significantly different compared with the normal value. However the numbers of CD3(total T cells), CD4 and CD8 cells increased to some extent in inactive stage. CD4 cells was significantly lower in 11 human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA positive patients than that in 9 HCMV DNA negative patients (P < 0.05).

A permanent disorder of cellular immunity was an important part of pathogenesis in RAU. CMV infection may be an important factor resulting in the disorder of cellular immunity because of the imbalance of T lymphocyte subsets.