Study of CD4^+, CD8^+, and natural killer cells (CD16^+, CD56^+) in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

摘要

Objective/background: To assess the percentage of CD4^+, CD8^+, and natural killer cells (CD16^+, CD56^+) in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) at presentation and study their impact on disease chronicity. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Menoufia University Hospital (tertiary care center in Egypt). The study was held on 30 children presenting with ITP; they were followed-up and classified into two groups: 15 children with acute ITP; and 15 children with chronic ITP. Patients were compared to a group of 15 healthy children of matched age and sex. Measurements of CD4^+, CD8^+, and natural killer cells (CD16^+, CD56^+) by flow cytometry were assessed and compared in these groups. Results: CD4^+ and CD4^+/CD8^+ were significantly lower in acute and chronic patients than the control group (p 0.05). However, CD8^+ was significantly higher in acute and chronic patients than the control group (p 0.05). Natural killer cell percent was significantly lower in acute patients than the control group (p 0.05). Conclusion: ITP is associated with immunity dysfunction denoted by the increase in cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the decrease in natural killer cells.