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Dynamic changes of T-lymphocyte subsets and the correlations with 89 patients with coronavirus disease 2019

Mingxiang Huang1, Yao Wang1, Jing Ye1

  • 1Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital & Fujian Medical University Clinical Teaching Hospital, Fuzhou, China.

Annals of Translational Medicine
|November 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Peripheral T lymphocyte counts in COVID-19 patients decrease during acute infection, particularly in severe cases. Monitoring these T cells aids in predicting patient prognosis and immune function recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents a significant public health challenge.
  • Understanding the immune response, particularly T lymphocyte dynamics, is crucial for managing COVID-19 pathogenesis and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamic changes in peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in COVID-19 patients.
  • To explore the role of these T cell subsets in COVID-19 pathogenesis and their impact on patient prognosis.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to analyze peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets (CD45+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) in 89 COVID-19 patients.
  • Patients were categorized into moderate and severe/critical groups, and further into improved and unimproved outcomes.
  • Results were compared between patient groups and a normal control group.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 patients exhibited decreased absolute counts of lymphocytes and T lymphocytes during the acute phase, most pronounced in the severe/critical group.
  • T-lymphocyte counts in severe/critical patients reached a nadir around day 14, recovering in improved patients but remaining low or decreasing in unimproved patients.
  • While CD4+/CD8+ ratios remained stable in improved patients, a drop in CD8+ T cells led to an elevated ratio in the unimproved group.

Conclusions:

  • T lymphocyte counts and subset analysis serve as valuable indicators for monitoring immune function in COVID-19 patients.
  • These immunological markers can effectively predict the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
CD3CD4CD8Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

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