Alterations in lymphocyte phenotype of infected preterm newborns.
The cord blood lymphocytes from 44 premature newborns were analyzed using two-color monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Depending on whether or not there was an infection at birth, the newborns were divided into two groups and the immunophenotypes of infected and uninfected newborns were compared. The percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3+) was significantly lower in the infected prematures. The percentage of both helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes was lower. The proportion of activated T lymphocytes, cytotoxic non-MHC-restricted T lymphocytes, NK cells and B lymphocytes did not differ between the group of infected and the group of uninfected prematures. The percentage of memory helper T lymphocytes (CD45RO+CD4+) was very low in premature newborns regardless of whether or not they were infected and could not be used as a marker of bacterial infection at this age.
Juretić
E
E
Division of Neonatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zagreb Clinical Hospital Center, University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia. antonio.juretic@zg.hinet.hr
Juretić
A
A
Uzarević
B
B
Petrovecki
M
M
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology*; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D017252:CD3 Complex; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens