Changes in T-lymphocyte subsets during acute rheumatic fever

• Published in: Journal of clinical immunology 1982-07, Vol.2 (3), p.166-172
• Main Authors: Williams, Jr, R C, Raizada, V, Prakash, K, van de Rijn, I, Zabriskie, J B, Stobo, J D, Sharma, K B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Antigens, Bacterial - immunology; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Cell Count; Cell Separation; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Rheumatic Fever - immunology; Rosette Formation; Streptococcal Infections - immunology; Streptococcus pyogenes - immunology; Streptococcus pyogenes - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - classification; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology
• ISSN: 0271-9142; 1573-2592
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00915218

Relative proportions and numbers of helper [OKT4(+)] and suppressor [OKT8(+)] peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined in 32 young patients during the acute phase of rheumatic fever. No significant decrease in percentage T cells during acute rheumatic fever was noted in comparison to normal children controls from the same population. A decrease in absolute numbers of OKT4(+) T cells was also noted in acute rheumatic subjects not receiving corticosteroids (P less than 0.05). In addition, a significant decrease was documented in both proportions and total numbers of OKT8(+) putative suppressor cells during acute rheumatic attacks. C-reactive protein binding to T-lymphocyte subsets showed no preferential reactivity in vivo for suppressor or helper T cells. Antigen-reactive T lymphocytes identified with the T29 mouse hybridoma reagent showed similar proportions and numbers in rheumatic children as were noted in controls. The present data indicate profound alterations in both helper- and suppressor-cell types in the peripheral blood profile of children with acute rheumatic fever.