Different T-lymphocyte subset responses dictate organ involvement in schistosomiasis

ABSTRACT

In this study, 2 color flow cytometric immunophenotyping analysis of lymphocytes and their subsets estimated in fresh peripheral venous blood sample of 15 patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis as a result of Schistosoma mansoni infection. 15 patients with active intestinal bilharziasis only without hepatic fibrosis or splenomegaly as well as 15 healthy volunteers. Bilharzial hepatic fibrosis was confirmed by histopathological examination of liver biopsy specimens. HBsAg and HCV Ab positive patients were excluded from the study. Results showed that CD4+% in the group of patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis was significantly higher than that of the group with active intestinal bilharziasis. While no significant difference was observed between the two groups of patients with bilharziasis when compared with the control group. CD8+% decreased significantly in patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis compared with both control and patients with active intestinal bilharziasis. While CD8+% increased significantly in the group of active intestinal bilharziasis compared with control. CD4/CD8 ratio increased significantly in patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis compared with the group of active intestinal bilharziasis and control group. NK% decreased significantly in patients with bilharziasis while NK% increased significantly in the group of active intestinal bilharziasis compared to control. No significant difference was present among the studied groups as regards total leucocytic count, absolute lymphocytic count, CD3%, CD19% and activated T-lymphocyte percentages