Evaluation of lymphocyte subgroups in children with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
The aetiology of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) remains to be fully elucidated, although it follows infection with a hypermutant defective M-protein measles virus. This study analysed peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroups to determine their role in the pathophysiology of SSPE. It included 22 children with SSPE aged 2 - 15 years (patient group) and 22 age- and gender-matched healthy children (control group). In children < 6 years old, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the proportions of lymphocytes expressing the surface markers CD3, CD8, CD19 or CD16/56, or in CD4/CD8 ratio. The proportion of CD4(+) lymphocytes in SSPE patients < 6 years of age was significantly lower compared with the control group. In children >or= 6 years old, there were no significant differences in the lymphocyte subgroups. In conclusion, these findings suggest that a low CD4(+) lymphocyte count might be responsible for SSPE in younger children.
Yilmaz
C
C
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey. drcahideyilmaz@hotmail.com
Yuca
S A
SA
Yilmaz
N
N
Oner
A F
AF
Caksen
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D013344:Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000954:Antigens, Surface