Analysis of Lymphocyte Immunological Reactivity in Patients with Pleural Effusions of Different Aetiology.
BACKGROUND
The proportion of T and B lymphocytes in pleural fluids and blood may point to the presence of local immunological phenomena in pleural disorders.


OBJECTIVE
Aim of study was to evaluate the lymphocyte phenotype and the ratio between helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic/suppressor (CD8+) lymphocytes in malignant and non-malignant effusions.


METHODS
We studied 48 patients with pleural effusions. First group had 18 patients with tuberculosis pleural effusions; second group had 20 patients with malignant pleural fluids, third group had 10 patients with transudates and 30 healthy controls. We investigated the distribution of T and B lymphocytes, T cells with helper/inducer CD4 or suppresser/cytotoxic CD8 phenotypes and the CD16 subset.


RESULTS
Results showed decreases levels of CD3, CD4, and CD16 T cells in blood of patients versus healthy controls. There were increases in the percentage of the CD3 and CD4 T cells in the pleural fluid compared with values in the blood with statistical significance in tuberculous pleurisy. The values of CD8 were similar in the pleural fluid and in blood. Levels of CD16 were non-significantly higher in pleural fluid in all groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the hypothesis that pleural cavity is compartment with immunological reactivity and results could be used in differential diagnosis together with other examinations.
University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
Zlatica
Z
Goseva
University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
Biserka Jovkovska
BJ
Kaeva
University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
Angelko
A
Gjorcev
University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
Elena Jovanovska
EJ
Janeva
University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
Zoran
Z
Arsovski
University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
Sava
S
Pejkovska
University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
Aleksandra
A
Tatabitovska
CD markers; lymphocyte; malignant pleural fluid; pleural effusions; tuberculous pleural effusions