[Memory T lymphocytes during infection and tuberculosis infection and disease].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of naive and memory T cells (as determined by CD45 isoforms) in recent tuberculosis infection and in pulmonary and pleural forms to the disease. To relate such subpopulations to serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).


METHODS
T cell subpopulations (CD3, CD4, CD8), naive (CD45RA), memory (CD45RO) and activated CD24+ T cells (IL-2 receptor) were measured in the peripheral blood and pleura of patients with recent tuberculosis infection (n = 7), pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 22) and tuberculosis pleurisy (n = 12). Serum levels of sIL-2 and IL-6 were determined in 13 patients with pleural or pulmonary tuberculosis and their relation to CD45RA and CD45RO subsets was analyzed.


RESULTS
T lymphocytosis involving all the subpopulations studied, including naive and memory T cells, was detected, although the RA:RO ratio did not change in relation to control levels. Marked increases in memory T cells and CD24+ T cells were found for patients with tuberculous pleurisy. sIL-2 and IL-6 levels were unrelated to naive and memory T cell subpopulations.


CONCLUSIONS
T lymphocytosis involving all T cell subsets can be observed in recent tuberculosis infection; both naive and memory T cells are implicated, although neither one predominates over the other. In tuberculous pleurisy there is compartmentalization of memory and activated T cells, which presumably play important roles in the local immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Montes
J
J
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Meixoeiro, Vigo.
Gambón-Deza
F
F
Pacheco
M
M
Cerdá
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000276:immunology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology*