Clinical significance of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset counts in renal allograft recipients

BACKGROUND: In the clinic, the ratio of peripheral blood CD4+ to CD8+ T cell subset counts determined by flow cytometry is often used to reveal the relationship related to rejection or infection. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value and significance of peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset counts in patients suffering from rejection or infection after renal transplantation. METHODS: CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset counts in 121 patients receiving renal transplantation were determined by flow cytometry. According to disease condition, patients were assigned to normal group, acute rejection group and pulmonary infection group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset counts between normal and acute rejection groups (P > 0.05). CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset counts were significantly reduced in the pulmonary infection group than in the normal group (P < 0.001). When infection was controlled and symptoms were improved, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset counts were significantly increased (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset counts can be used as a reference of immune state in renal allograft recipients, they are more valuable in considering patients with infection than patients with rejection, and serial observation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset counts may be very useful in optimizing treatment.