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Peripheral T lymphocytes and their subsets in cutaneous tuberculosis
V N Sehgal1, S A Wagh, S N Bhattacharya
1Department of Dermatology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
International Journal of Dermatology
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Cell-mediated immunity in cutaneous tuberculosis varies by type. Scrofuloderma showed increased T lymphocytes (CD3+), while tuberculosis verrucosa cutis had lower CD8+ T cells. Lupus vulgaris showed no significant changes in T cell subsets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cutaneous tuberculosis presents diverse clinical forms.
- Understanding cell-mediated immunity is crucial for diagnosing and managing these conditions.
- T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) play key roles in immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare cell-mediated immunity in different types of cutaneous tuberculosis.
- To evaluate peripheral T lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with lupus vulgaris, scroderma, and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis.
Main Methods:
- Investigated 54 patients with cutaneous tuberculosis (23 lupus vulgaris, 22 scroderma, 9 verrucosa cutis).
- Estimated peripheral total T lymphocytes (CD3+), CD4+ (helper/inducer), and CD8+ (cytotoxic/suppressor) lymphocytes.
- Utilized immunohistochemical staining of peripheral blood smears with monoclonal antibodies and the APAAP method.
Main Results:
- Scroderma exhibited significantly elevated absolute counts of total T lymphocytes (CD3+), CD4+, and CD8+ subsets, with unchanged percentages and CD4+/CD8+ ratio.
- Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis showed a significantly lowered percentage of CD8+ T lymphocytes, altering the CD4+/CD8+ ratio.
- Lupus vulgaris patients displayed no significant alterations in peripheral blood T cells or their subpopulations.
Conclusions:
- Cell-mediated immunity, specifically T lymphocyte profiles, differs across cutaneous tuberculosis manifestations.
- Scroderma is associated with a general increase in T lymphocyte counts.
- Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis is characterized by a specific decrease in CD8+ T cells, impacting immune balance.