Expression of lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Cui, Wei; Fan, Ying; Wu, Wei; Zhang, Feng; Wang, Jun-ying; Ni, An-ping · Clin Infect Dis · 2003

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

In a cohort of 38 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), we observed leukopenia in 47% of patients, lymphopenia in 84%, and T lymphopenia in 95%. CD4(+) T lymphocyte levels were reduced in 100% of patients, CD8(+) T lymphocyte levels were reduced in 87%, B lymphocyte levels were reduced in 76%, and natural killer cell levels were reduced in 55%. Our data suggested that these patients' immune systems were impaired during the course of SARS. The absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets demonstrated a clinical significance for patients with SARS.

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