Measurement of blood T lymphocyte subsets in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome and its clinical significance

Objective:To investigate the changes of blood T lymphocyte subsets in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and their clinical significance.Methods:Subsets of blood T lymphocyte in 227 patients with SARS and 50 normal people were detected by flowcytometer.Results:The numbers of CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+ lymphocytes all significantly decreased in acute phase of SARS patients compared with those of normal persons.All the 12 perished patients had CD4~+ counts less than 200/ul.As the patients conditions improved,the counts of CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+ gradually returned to normal.The counts of T lymphocytes was to the lowest in 1 to 2 weeks, after 2 or 3 weeks it was re-raised obviously.Conclusion:T lymphocytes of SARS patient decreased obviously, but could be resumed.Detection of T lymphocytes can provide an early diagnosis and determination of the prognosis to SARS.