Investigation of T cell receptors in the peripheral blood of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

T cells have the capability of recognizing target cells through their T cell receptors (TCRs). Thus, the percentages of CD3+/gamma-delta (gammadelta) TCR+ and CD3+/alpha-beta (alphabeta) TCR+ T lymphocytes were investigated in active and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) patients and in healthy individuals. CD3+ and CD3+/alphabeta TCR+ cell percentages were significantly lower in all PT patients than in healthy subjects. Percentages of CD3+/gammadelta and CD3+/alphabeta TCR+ were not statistically different between active and inactive PT patients. It was concluded that alphabeta TCR+ T cells might have a protective role in tuberculosis infection.