Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis improves both the number and memory function of CD4 T cells in uremic patients.

ABSTRACT

Cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) was studied in 16 ESRD (end-stage renal disease) patients prior to and after 6 months of treatment with CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis). Quantitative assessment of the CMI system showed that the mean values of number and percentage of total lymphocyte count, CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8 in ESRD patients were lower than in the normal population. Such values, however, were significantly increased after 6 months of CAPD treatment. To determine qualitative function of the CMI system, both in vitro (PHA stimulation test) and in vivo (multi CMI skin test) tests were examined. There were no significant changes in the results of PHA stimulation test after 6 months of CAPD treatment. In multi CMI skin test, the number of patients converting from negative to positive result was obviously noted following CAPD therapy for 6 months. In conclusion, both quantitative and qualitative CMI impairment existing in ESRD patients could be corrected, although not completely, by 6-month CAPD treatment.