Changes in T-lymphocyte subsets during acute rheumatic fever.
Relative proportions and numbers of helper [OKT4(+)] and suppressor [OKT8(+)] peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined in 32 young patients during the acute phase of rheumatic fever. No significant decrease in percentage T cells during acute rheumatic fever was noted in comparison to normal children controls from the same population. A decrease in absolute numbers of OKT4(+) T cells was also noted in acute rheumatic subjects not receiving corticosteroids (P less than 0.05). In addition, a significant decrease was documented in both proportions and total numbers of OKT8(+) putative suppressor cells during acute rheumatic attacks. C-reactive protein binding to T-lymphocyte subsets showed no preferential reactivity in vivo for suppressor or helper T cells. Antigen-reactive T lymphocytes identified with the T29 mouse hybridoma reagent showed similar proportions and numbers in rheumatic children as were noted in controls. The present data indicate profound alterations in both helper- and suppressor-cell types in the peripheral blood profile of children with acute rheumatic fever.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002469:Cell Separation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000276:immunology*; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D002097:C-Reactive Protein