title: Lymphocyte subpopulation abnormalities in sickle cell anemia: a distinctive pattern from that of AIDS.
abstract: In this study, we evaluated lymphocyte subpopulations in 23 adults with SCA. When compared to controls, SCA patients had higher lymphocyte counts with normal numbers of T101+ cells (T-lymphocytes) and T4+ cells. T8+ cells were significantly increased in SCA patients in comparison to controls (1684 +/- 243 vs 980 +/- 367, p less than .001). This increment was largely dependent on a T101-, T8+ cell population. The SCA patients as a group had significantly decreased T4/T8 ratio (p less than .0001). The SCA patients with history of blood transfusions had higher T4+ cells numbers and higher T4/T8 ratio, but no other significant differences from nontransfused patients were noted. Our results are different from those reported for nontransfused children with SCA who showed normal T4/T8 ratio. Thus, a distinct pattern of abnormalities is seen in the lymphocyte subpopulations of adult SCA patients, unrelated to their exposure to blood transfusions.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal