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Published on: December 11, 2013
Relationship between Candida infection and immune cellular response in inflammatory hyperplasia
C M Badauy1, J J D Barbachan, P V Rados
1Department of Oral Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. cristianobadauy@ibest.com.br
Insights
In oral inflammatory hyperplasia, CD8(+) T cells, but not CD4(+) T cells, were significantly increased in cases of Candida infection. These CD8(+) T cells were found near Candida hyphae, suggesting a role in immune defense.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oral Pathology
- Mycology
Background:
- Inflammatory hyperplasia can be associated with oral infections.
- Candida species are common causes of oral infections.
- T-lymphocytes play a crucial role in immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte populations in inflammatory hyperplasia.
- To determine the relationship between T-lymphocyte frequency/location and Candida infection.
Main Methods:
- Inflammatory hyperplasia samples were assessed for Candida using PAS staining.
- Samples were categorized into infected and control groups.
- Immunoreaction with anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies analyzed lymphocyte distribution and frequency.
Main Results:
- No correlation was found between CD4(+) T cells and Candida infection.
- Higher numbers of CD8(+) T cells were observed in the infected group compared to controls.
- CD8(+) T cells were found in proximity to Candida hyphae.
Conclusions:
- CD8(+) T cells show a specific distribution pattern related to Candida hyphae.
- An increased CD8(+) T cell ratio suggests their involvement in combating Candida in oral infections.
- CD8(+) T cells may play a key role in the immune defense against Candida in immunocompetent individuals with inflammatory hyperplasia.
Objectives:
To analyze and quantify the CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte populations in inflammatory hyperplasia and to establish the relationship between the frequency and location of these cells and Candida infection.
Methods:
Samples of inflammatory hyperplasia were stained with PAS for evidence of Candida sp. and were classified in two groups, infected and control, according to the presence or absence of infection. After immunoreaction with specific anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies, the distribution and frequency of the positive cells were analyzed in 41 cases (19 controls without Candida sp. and 22 infected cases). Lymphocytes were quantified in the three consecutive fields where the inflammatory infiltration was concentrated.
Results:
There was no relationship between the frequency and location of CD4(+) T cells and Candida sp. infection. The number of CD8(+) cells close to the fungi hyphae as well as the total number of CD8(+) T cells present in inflammatory hyperplasia were higher in the Candida sp. group than in the control noninfected group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Since the CD8(+) T cells were distributed according to the location of Candida sp. hyphae, and since a higher CD8(+)/total lymphocytes ratio was observed in the infected group, we suggest a role for CD8(+) T cells in the defense against Candida in oral infections associated with inflammatory hyperplasia in immunocompetent individuals.
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