ABSTRACT
Objective/background: To assess the percentage of CD[4+], CD[8+], and natural killer cells [CD[16+], CD[56+]] in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP] at presentation and study their impact on disease chronicity
Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Menoufia University Hospital [tertiary care center in Egypt]. The study was held on 30 children presenting with ITP; they were followed-up and classified into two groups: 15 children with acute ITP; and 15 children with chronic ITP. Patients were compared to a group of 15 healthy children of matched age and sex. Measurements of CD[4+], CD[8+], and natural killer cells [CD[16+], CD[56+]] by flow cytometry were assessed and compared in these groups
Results: CD[4+] and CD[4+]/CD[8+] were significantly lower in acute and chronic patients than the control group [p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively], with no significant difference between acute and chronic patients [p > 0.05]. However, CD[8+] was significantly higher in acute and chronic patients than the control group [p < 0.05], with no significant difference between acute and chronic patients [p > 0.05]. Natural killer cell percent was significantly lower in acutepatients than the control group [p < 0.001], with no significant difference between chronic and control groups [p > 0.05]. Conclusion: ITP is associated with immunity dysfunction denoted by the increase in cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the decrease in natural killer cells patients than the control group [p < 0.001], with no significant difference between chronic and control groups [p > 0.05]
Conclusion: ITP is associated with immunity dysfunction denoted by the increase in cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the decrease in natural killer cells