| Literature DB >> 7901937 |
M de L Higuchi1, P S Gutierrez, V D Aiello, S Palomino, E Bocchi, J Kalil, G Bellotti, F Pileggi.
Abstract
Cellular subpopulations that infiltrate the heart in human chronic chagasic myocarditis were defined immunohistochemically in endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) specimens. T cells formed 96.3% of the inflammatory infiltrate, predominantly CD8+ (cytotoxic/suppressor) T cells. The mean numbers of CD8+ and CD4+ (helper) T cells in the myocarditis were compared to those present in the myocardial rejection process. Mean numbers of CD8+ T cells were similar in both groups of EMB specimens while CD4+ T cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratios and CD4+ antigen expression were significantly lower in the chagasic group compared to the myocardial rejection group (P < 0.002). The persistent lower number and diminished expression of CD4+ T cells suggest an immunological imbalance in patients with chronic chagasic myocarditis. A possible participation of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites in the development of such immunological abnormalities is also discussed.Entities:
Mesh：
Year: 1993 PMID： 7901937 DOI： 10.1007/bf01614765
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol ISSN： 0174-7398