In:
Respiration, S. Karger AG, Vol. 68, No. 6 ( 2001), p. 590-594
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 Multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDRTB), a major problem in developing countries, may result from either insufficiency of host cellular immune response or mycobacterial mechanisms which has been more intensively investigated so far. 〈 i 〉 Objectives: 〈 /i 〉 The aim of the study was to investigate natural killer cell activity (NKA) and T lymphocyte subsets in HIV– patients with secondary MDRTB. 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 20 male patients with MDRTB (mean age 38 ± 8 years), 15 nonresistant tuberculosis male patients (NRTB) (mean age 36 ± 11 years) and 12 healthy male controls (mean age 35 ± 8 years) were included. The percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD25+, CD11b+ and CD16+56+ cells were measured by flow-cytometric analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). NKA was evaluated using the anticandidal index method. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 The mean tuberculin response was higher in MDRTB and NRTB patients compared to controls (15.4 ± 3.8, 15.1 ± 3.3 and 10.9 ± 2.8 mm, respectively; p 〈 0.001). There was no significant correlation between PPD response and PBL subsets or NKA. The percentages of both CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes were significantly lower in MDRTB (62.4 ± 12.1 and 33.9 ± 9.0%) compared to NRTB (70.8 ± 7.5 and 42.9 ± 8.6%; p 〈 0.05). Patients with MDRTB had significantly lower NKA compared to NRTB and controls (30.9 ± 11.3, 49.7 ± 15.5 and 40.0 ± 8.5%, respectively; p 〈 0.01). 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 This reduction in NKA may suggest a role for impaired NK function in the pathogenesis of MDRTB in HIV– patients.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0025-7931
,
1423-0356
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2001
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1464419-8
Permalink