title: Expansion of TcRalphabeta+CD3+CD4-CD8- (CD4/CD8 double-negative) T lymphocytes in a case of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome.
abstract: A 55-year-old woman presented with staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS). During the course of the disease a significant lymphocytosis appeared, and a high number of TcRalphabeta+CD3+CD4-CD8- (double-negative, DN) lymphocytes was observed both in bone marrow and in peripheral blood samples. Correction of the altered lymphocyte immunophenotype was observed only 6 weeks after recovery from TSS. The immunophenotype of circulating and bone marrow lymphocytes was also studied during a phase of an aspecific febrile episode observed 2 months after recovery, but no subset of DN lymphocytes was found. A small subset of DN lymphocytes can be found in normal bone marrow, liver, thymus, and skin. These cells show peculiar immune regulatory properties and can increase in certain autoimmune diseases. Our findings may represent a specific effect of lymphocyte stimulation by the staphylococcal exotoxin, which is the effector agent of TSS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. g.carulli@ao-pisa.toscana.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carulli
authors.forename: Ginetta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lagomarsini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azzarà
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Testi
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riccioni
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrini
mesh_terms: D001773:Blood Cells; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D017252:CD3 Complex; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013210:Staphylococcus; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta