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

• Published in: The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease Vol. 17; no. 6; pp. 825 - 828
• Main Authors: Guglielmetti, L., Cazzadori, A., Conti, M., Boccafoglio, F., Vella, A., Ortolani, R., Concia, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris, France International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 01.06.2013; International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
• Subjects: Bacterial diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8 antigen; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Flow Cytometry; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; IGRA; Infectious diseases; Interferon-Gamma; Interferon-gamma - immunology; Interferon-gamma Release Tests; Lymphocyte Phenotyping; Lymphocytes - immunology; Medical sciences; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium Tuberculosis; Pneumology; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Tuberculosis - immunology; Tuberculosis - physiopathology; Tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infections; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - immunology; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - physiopathology; Flow cytometry; lymphocyte phenotyping; Disease; Respiratory disease; Mycobacterial infection; Cell subpopulation; Immunological method; IGRA; Infection; Assay; Phenotype; Association; Tuberculosis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Mycobacteriales; Bacteriosis; Mycobacteriaceae; Bacteria; Actinomycetes; Lymphocyte; interferon-gamma; Gamma interferon
• ISSN: 1027-3719; 1815-7920; 1815-7920
• DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.12.0361

Cell-mediated immune response plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB). We retrospectively evaluated lymphocyte subpopulations in 177 active TB patients compared to 93 healthy controls, finding a relevant decrease in total lymphocytes and CD8+ cells. Conversely, activated human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR+) and CD4+CD57+ cells were higher in the TB group. B-1a (CD5+CD19+) lymphocytes were reduced in TB subjects, particularly those with extended and cavitary pulmonary forms, suggesting increased compartmentalisation at the infection site. QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube positive results were associated with higher HLA-DR+CD4+ and CD4+CD57+ cells, while interferon-gamma response and total lymphocyte levels were lower in advanced pulmonary TB cases.