Natural T, gammadelta, and NK cells in mycobacterial, Salmonella, and human immunodeficiency virus infections.
NK cells, gammadelta T cell antigen receptor chain-positive cells, and CD3(+)CD16/56(+) (natural T [NT]) cells are involved in innate immunity and immunoregulation; however, their role in clinical infection is not well defined. Cytofluorometric analysis was used to examine peripheral blood from bacteremic, nonbacteremic, and healthy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and -negative persons in Malawi, Africa. Mycobacteremia was associated with a higher proportion of CD3(+)CD8(-) gammadelta cells (median, 16.6% vs. 0.7% for all other cells; P<.001), and Salmonella bacteremia was associated with a higher proportion of NT cells (4.3% vs. 2.2%; P=. 002). HIV plasma RNA levels were weakly positively correlated with NT cells (rs=.39; P=.002), NK cells (rs=.38; P=.003), and gammadelta cells (rs=.43; P<.001). Compared with patients who survived, patients who died had a higher percentage of NT cells (3.7% vs. 1. 9%; P=.017) and a higher percentage of NT cells that spontaneously produced interferon-gamma (2.4% vs. 1.2%; P=.035). The data support the clinical relevance of gammadelta and NT cells in mycobacterial, Salmonella, and HIV infections and of NT cells in mortality.
Jason
J
J
Immunology Branch, Division of AIDS, STD, and TB Laboratory Research, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA 30333. JMJ1@CDC.gov.
Buchanan
I
I
Archibald
L K
LK
Nwanyanwu
O C
OC
Bell
M
M
Green
T A
TA
Eick
A
A
Han
A
A
Razsi
D
D
Kazembe
P N
PN
Dobbie
H
H
Midathada
M
M
Jarvis
W R
WR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D017452:Receptors, IgG