[Immunity and lymphocytic-thrombocytic adhesion in community-aquired pneumonia].

AIM: To investigate immunity and lymphocytic-thrombocytic adhesion in pneumonia patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination of 59 male patients with pneumonia aged 18-21 years included calculation of total leucocyte count, lymphocyte subpopulations, relative and absolute count of lymphocytic-thrombocytic aggregates (LTA), measurement of IgA, IgM, IgG concentrations.

RESULTS: Pneumonia patients have high count of leukocytes and low count of total and relative count of lymphocytes, low number of main lymphocytic subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+, CD16+, CD22+). Patients with uncomplicated pneumonia demonstrated high ability of lymphocytes for forming coaggregates with platelets. Patients with severe pneumonia complications may have either very high count of LTA (mean 403 +/- 45.6) or very low (mean 42.6 +/- 8.1). Percent of lymphocytes able to adhere to platelets (CD4+ with CD16+) in pneumonia is low. No correlation was found between LTA and the level of IgA, IgG, IgG.

CONCLUSION: LTA is an objective indicator of cellular immunity status in pneumonia patients.