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Lymphocyte subpopulations in active tuberculosis: association with disease severity and the QFT-GIT assay

L Guglielmetti1, A Cazzadori, M Conti

  • 1Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Policlinico G B Rossi, Verona, Italy. lorenzo.guglielmetti@gmail.com

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
|May 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Cell-mediated immunity in tuberculosis (TB) involves altered lymphocyte levels. Active TB patients showed decreased total and CD8+ T-cells, but increased activated HLA-DR+ and CD4+CD57+ cells, with B-1a cell reduction in severe forms.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cell-mediated immune responses are crucial in tuberculosis (TB) pathogenesis.
  • Understanding lymphocyte dynamics in active TB is essential for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate alterations in lymphocyte subpopulations in active TB patients.
  • To correlate these changes with disease severity and diagnostic markers.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations in 177 active TB patients and 93 healthy controls.
  • Flow cytometry was used to quantify specific cell types, including CD8+, HLA-DR+, CD4+CD57+, and B-1a (CD5+CD19+) lymphocytes.
  • QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) results and interferon-gamma responses were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Active TB patients exhibited significantly lower total lymphocytes and CD8+ T-cells compared to controls.
  • Elevated levels of activated human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR+) and CD4+CD57+ cells were observed in TB patients.
  • B-1a lymphocytes were reduced, especially in patients with extensive or cavitary pulmonary TB.
  • QFT-GIT positivity correlated with higher HLA-DR+CD4+ and CD4+CD57+ cells, while advanced TB showed lower interferon-gamma and total lymphocyte counts.

Conclusions:

  • Tuberculosis is associated with distinct changes in lymphocyte subpopulations, indicating immune dysregulation.
  • Reduced B-1a cells may reflect compartmentalization at the infection site in severe TB.
  • Specific lymphocyte markers correlate with disease activity and diagnostic test results, offering potential biomarkers.

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