[Computer morphometry of peripheral blood lymphocytes in elderly patients with chronic pyelonephritis.]

The aim of the study was to investigate the peculiarities of morphometric parameters of peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic pyelonephritis in elderly patients in comparison with young and middle-aged patients. A total of 81 patients with chronic pyelonephritis in the exacerbation phase were examined. All patients were divided into three age groups according to WHO recommendations: the 1st - 42patients of young age (18-44 years); the 2nd - 17 patients of middle age (45-59 years); the 3rd - 22 elderly patients (60-74 years). Computer morphometry of lymphocytes was performed in all examined patients. In elderly patients with chronic pyelonephritis the size and сytoplasmic-nuclear ratio of lymphocytes increase. This indicates the preservation of lymphocyte defense responses at this age. In male patients with chronic pyelonephritis in the 1st and 2nd age groups the size of lymphocytes increases, and in female patients - decreases. The сytoplasmic-nuclear ratio increases in males of these age groups, while it remains unchanged or decreases in females. Indirect indications of reduced immunity in young and middle-aged women with chronic inflammation in the kidneys have been obtained.