Περίληψη:
Immunodeficiency and elevated levels of cytokines have been associated
with the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) lesions in patients with
AIDS and iatrogenic immunodeficiency. However, their role in classic KS
(CKS) is unclear. We measured peripheral blood cell levels, including
T-cell subsets, as well as neopterin and beta(2)-microglobulin in 91
HIV-negative Greek patients with histologically confirmed CKS and in 107
controls matched for age and sex. CKS cases had slightly lower leukocyte
counts (p = 0.08) and lymphocyte counts (p = 0.02). Although the
percentage of CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocytes were not significantly different
from controls (p = 0.10 and p = 0.45, respectively), CD4 T-lymphocytes
were lower in cases than controls (812 cells/mu L and 1,009 cells/mu L,
respectively; p = 0.01); part of this difference resulted from the lower
lymphocyte counts (p 0.07 after adjusting for lymphocyte counts).
However, neopterin and Pz-microglobulin were both considerably elevated
[geometric mean (95% CI): 8.35 (7.27-9.73) nmol/L and 2,904
(2,479-3,401) mu g/L in cases and 5.86 (5.40-6.35) nmol/lL and 2,042
(1,880-2,218) mu g/L in controls, respectively]. We conclude that CKS
patients are predominantly characterised by immune activation, although
an element of minor immunosuppression may also be present. (C) 1999
Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Συγγραφείς:
Touloumi, G
Hatzakis, A
Potouridov, I
Milona, I and
Strarigos, J
Katsambas, A
Giraldo, G
Beth-Giraldo, E and
Biggar, RJ
Mueller, N
Trichopoulos, D
