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Phenotypic Characterization of Peripheral T Cells and Their Dynamics in Scrub Typhus Patients.
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases; Aug2012, Vol. 6 Issue 8, p1-10, 10p, 6 Graphs
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Background: Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi infection, is one of the main causes of febrile illness in the Asia-Pacific region. Although cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in protection, little is known about the phenotypic changes and dynamics of leukocytes in scrub typhus patients. Methodology/Principal Findings: To reveal the underlying mechanisms of immunological pathogenesis, we extensively analyzed peripheral blood leukocytes, especially T cells, during acute and convalescent phases of infection in human patients and compared with healthy volunteers. We observed neutrophilia and CD4<superscript>+</superscript> T lymphopenia in the acute phase of infection, followed by proliferation of CD8<superscript>+</superscript> T cells during the convalescent phase. Massive T cell apoptosis was detected in the acute phase and preferential increase of CD8<superscript>+</superscript> T cells with activated phenotypes was observed in both acute and convalescent phases, which might be associated or correlated with elevated serum IL-7 and IL-15. Interestingly, peripheral Treg cells were significantly down-regulated throughout the disease course. Conclusions/Significance: The remarkable decrease of CD4<superscript>+</superscript> T cells, including Treg cells, during the acute phase of infection may contribute to the loss of immunological memory that are often observed in vaccine studies and recurrent human infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19352727
- Volume :
- 6
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 79756960
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001789