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The changes of the peripheral CD4+ lymphocytes and inflammatory cytokines in Patients with COVID-19

Hua-Bao Sun1, Yi-Ming Zhang2, Li-Gui Huang3

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.

Plos One
|September 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and CD4+/CD8+ ratios decrease in COVID-19 patients. Lower CD4+ counts and higher TNF-α and IL-6 levels correlate with increased COVID-19 disease severity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • COVID-19, a viral respiratory illness, can cause significant immune dysregulation.
  • Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and inflammatory cytokines are key indicators of immune status.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical significance of peripheral blood lymphocyte subset alterations and inflammatory cytokine levels in COVID-19 patients.
  • To correlate these immunological changes with COVID-19 disease severity.

Main Methods:

  • Calculation and observation of total lymphocyte counts, CD4+ lymphocyte counts, and CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratios in different COVID-19 patient groups.
  • Measurement of inflammatory cytokine levels, including TNF-α and IL-6.

Main Results:

  • Lymphocytopenia in COVID-19 is primarily characterized by reduced CD4+ T lymphocyte numbers and a decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio.
  • Elevated levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed.
  • A significant correlation was found between decreased CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, elevated TNF-α and IL-6 levels, and increased COVID-19 disease severity.

Conclusions:

  • Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, particularly CD4+ T cells, are critical indicators in COVID-19.
  • Elevated inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) alongside reduced CD4+ T cells signify more severe COVID-19.
  • Monitoring these immunological markers can aid in assessing COVID-19 prognosis and severity.

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