IMMUNE INDEXES IN PATIENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE FIBROUS-CAVERNOUS TUBERCULOSIS DEPENDENT ON SEVERITY OF DESTRUCTIVE CHANGES IN THE LUNGS

Abstract

Abstract. We have studied cellular immune state in patients with progressive fibrous cavernous tuberculosis (FCT) with varying severity of lung destructive changes. It was found that increasing number of specific cytotoxic lymphocytes, NK-, NKT-, CD95-cells and activated T-lymphocytes, accompanied by a significant decrease of T-helper cells, B cells, CD25-cells, is a sign of destruction, along with inhibition of antigen-specific cellular response and functional insufficiency of T-helper and cytotoxic lymphocytes. Increased severity of the disease is consistent with activation of B cell compartment and weaker phagocytic function of neutrophils.Significant differences were revealed in spontaneous and induced production of IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-8 between various groups of patients with FCT. The alterations of immune and cytokine status in a certain clinical subgroup with progressing FCT were indicative for depletion of immune system potential. As based on these data, we have established some criteria in order to assess severity of immune pathology in the patients with progressing FCT which may be of predictive value for evaluating trends in development of the specific process and feasibility of immune correction therapy.

Keywords

• tuberculosis
• destruction
• lymphocytes
• cytokines