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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture
Published on: April 8, 2016
Comparison of lymphocyte populations in cutaneous and electrical burn patients: a clinical study
M Deveci1, M Sengezer, M Bozkurt
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Centre, Gülhane Military Medical Academny, Ankara, Turkey. mdeveci98@yahoo.com
Insights
Electrical and thermal burn injuries significantly suppress immune cell levels, impacting T cell and B cell populations. Electrical burns show a more pronounced suppression of CD4/CD8 ratios, indicating a greater immune deficit.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Trauma Surgery
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Immunosuppression is a known complication following thermal injury.
- Both cellular and humoral immune systems are affected by severe burns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively compare lymphocyte population differences between cutaneous and electrical burn patients.
- To investigate the impact of burn type on immune cell levels.
Main Methods:
- Prospective clinical study involving 15 patients with major thermal or high-voltage electrical injuries.
- Blood samples collected at 3 and 7 days post-burn.
- Lymphocyte populations evaluated using SimulTest IMK plus.
Main Results:
- Both groups exhibited suppressed T cell, B cell, activated T cell, natural killer, and helper T cell levels.
- Electrical burn patients showed elevated suppressor T cell levels at 3 and 7 days.
- Electrical burn patients had more suppressed CD4/CD8 ratios.
Conclusions:
- Electrical burn injuries lead to distinct alterations in lymphocyte populations compared to thermal burns.
- Further investigation is needed into lymphocyte populations and sepsis development factors in burn patients.
Abstract:
Immunosuppression following thermal injury has been noted in recent years. Both cellular and humoral immune systems have been reported to be affected. The present study aimed to compare the quantitative differences between cutaneous and electrical burn patients in respect to the partition and levels of lymphocyte populations. From March 1997 through February 1998, 15 patients with major thermal injury or high voltage electrical injury were included in this clinical prospective study. Blood samples were collected at three and seven days postburn. The evaluation of lymphocyte populations of patients was performed by SimulTest IMK plus. T cell and B cell populations, activated T cells, natural killer and helper T cell levels were all suppressed in both groups. Suppressor T cell levels were elevated in electrical burn group at both three and seven days. Therefore, CD 4/CD 8 ratios were more suppressed in electrical burn group. In conclusion, lymphocyte populations in electrical burn patients and also contributing factors which play important roles in the development of sepsis in both group need to be investigated further.
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