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[T-lymphocyte subsets evaluation in patients with tuberculosis using modulation with theophylline].
D Dlugovitzky1, K Huber, G Welker
1Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Pulmonary tuberculosis significantly reduces T cells and T helper/T suppressor ratios in patients. Treatment can restore these immune cells, indicating improved immunocompetence and disease recovery.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is associated with an immunocompromised state.
- Understanding T cell dynamics is crucial for TB pathogenesis and treatment monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate T cell subsets in pulmonary TB patients.
- To elucidate the immunocompromised status in TB.
- To correlate T cell changes with disease severity and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood T cell subsets were analyzed using the E-Rosette test.
- Quantification of Total T cells (RET), Active T cells (REA), helper cells (RETR), and suppressor cells (RETS).
- T cell analysis was performed before, during, and after therapy, alongside standard TB diagnostics (baciloscopy, chest X-ray, Mantoux test).
Main Results:
- Untreated TB patients showed significantly decreased Total T cells and a T helper/T suppressor (RETR/RETS) ratio below 1.
- Favorable treatment outcomes correlated with restored Total active and helper T cells and an increased RETR/RETS ratio.
- Low immunocompetent cell levels were observed in patients with high baciloscopy results and negative Mantoux tests, associated with nutritional status.
Conclusions:
- T cell subset alterations are characteristic of pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Restoration of T cell populations and ratios indicates successful TB treatment and immune recovery.
- Nutritional status and specific diagnostic markers (baciloscopy, Mantoux) are linked to immune cell levels in TB patients.