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Lymphocyte subsets in kala-azar

A Sciotto1, G Russo-Mancuso, C M Zinna

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Catania, Italy.

Annals of Allergy
|October 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Children with active visceral leishmaniasis have altered T-cell counts, specifically a decrease in CD2+ and CD4+ cells and an increase in CD8+ cells. These lymphocyte subset changes normalize after successful treatment and recovery from the disease.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe parasitic disease affecting children.
  • Immune dysregulation, particularly involving lymphocyte subsets, is characteristic of active VL.
  • Understanding these immune changes is crucial for diagnosis and monitoring treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate alterations in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in children with active visceral leishmaniasis.
  • To compare immune profiles during active disease versus after recovery.
  • To assess the reversibility of immune changes post-treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Peripheral blood samples were collected from children diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis.
  • Lymphocyte subsets, including CD2+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells, were quantified using flow cytometry.
  • Immune cell counts and ratios were compared between patients in the active disease stage, recovered patients, and healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Children with active visceral leishmaniasis exhibited a significant decrease in CD2+ and CD4+ T-cells compared to controls.
  • A significant increase in CD8+ T-cells was observed during active disease.
  • The CD4/CD8 ratio was notably inverted in active VL cases.
  • These immunological alterations normalized within three months following successful recovery from visceral leishmaniasis.

Conclusions:

  • Active visceral leishmaniasis in children is associated with significant T-lymphocyte subset dysregulation.
  • The observed immune profile changes are reversible and return to normal levels after treatment and recovery.
  • Monitoring lymphocyte subsets may offer insights into disease activity and treatment response in pediatric VL.

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