Khalid Ibrahim Elsayh1, Khaled Saad2, Naglaa Samy Osman1, Khaled Hashim Mahmoud1, Faisal A Ahmad1, Shaimaa M Khalaf1, Noha G Sayed3, Zeinab Albadry M Zahran3, Aliaa M A Ghandour4, Amira A Elhoufey5,6, Tamer Bedir7, Asmaa Zahran8. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. khaled.ali@med.au.edu.eg. 3. Department of clinical pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. 4. Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. 5. Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. 6. Department of Community Health Nursing, Alddrab University College, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia. 7. Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. 8. Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease. This study's objective was to estimate the variations in the population of CD4+CD25+High FoxP3+ cells (CD4+ regulatory T-lymphocytes; Tregs) in previously untreated children with chronic ITP managed in Assiut University Hospitals, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone (HD-DXM) in these patients. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the frequencies of T-lymphocyte subsets in 27 untreated children with chronic ITP. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, the percentages of CD4+CD25High cells and Tregs were significantly lower in the chronic ITP group compared to the control group (p = 0.018 and p < 0.0001, respectively). After treatment with HD-DXM, Tregs and platelets were significantly increased in these patients (p < 0.0001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Tregs are deficient in children with chronic ITP and that HD-DXM immunosuppressive therapy can restore the levels of these cells. IMPACT: CD4+CD25High cells and Tregs were significantly lower in children chronic ITP compared to healthy control. HD-DXM treatment led to significantly increased Tregs and platelets in these patients. Our results suggest that Tregs are deficient in children with chronic ITP and that HD-DXM immunosuppressive therapy can restore the levels of these cells.
BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease. This study's objective was to estimate the variations in the population of CD4+CD25+High FoxP3+ cells (CD4+ regulatory T-lymphocytes; Tregs) in previously untreated children with chronic ITP managed in Assiut University Hospitals, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone (HD-DXM) in these patients. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the frequencies of T-lymphocyte subsets in 27 untreated children with chronic ITP. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, the percentages of CD4+CD25High cells and Tregs were significantly lower in the chronic ITP group compared to the control group (p = 0.018 and p < 0.0001, respectively). After treatment with HD-DXM, Tregs and platelets were significantly increased in these patients (p < 0.0001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Tregs are deficient in children with chronic ITP and that HD-DXM immunosuppressive therapy can restore the levels of these cells. IMPACT: CD4+CD25High cells and Tregs were significantly lower in children chronic ITP compared to healthy control. HD-DXM treatment led to significantly increased Tregs and platelets in these patients. Our results suggest that Tregs are deficient in children with chronic ITP and that HD-DXM immunosuppressive therapy can restore the levels of these cells.