T-lymphocyte Subsets as a Prognostic Factor in a Clinical Course of Chickenpox.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible prognostic values of CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes, CD4/CD8 ratio to clinical course of chickenpox in immunocompetent hosts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study which included 69 immunocompetent patients with chickenpox who were addmited to Clinic for infectious disease, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, in a 18 month period. All patients were divided into two groups depending on clinical presentation on admission. Patients with mild clinical form were dedicated to "outpatient" group, and patients with moderate, severe or life-threatening clinical forms were dedicated to "hospitalized" group. Also 30 healthy volunteers are included in study as a control group. We analyzed values of CD4+, CD8+ percentage, CD4/CD8 ratio with comparison to clinical course of chickenpox. All specimens were taken in acute phase of illness.

RESULTS: Values of CD4+ percentage were significantly declined in a group of hospitalized patients, compared to group of outpatients and control group. Values of CD8+ percentage were higher in a group of hospitalized patients, while CD4/CD8 values were lower in comparison to a group of outpatients and control group.

CONCLUSION: We found significant correlation between these parameters and clinical course of chickenpox.