Korean J Dermatol.  1997 Dec;35(6):1066-1073.

Observation of T Lymphocyte Subsets Following use of a Multitest(R) CMI Kit in Patients with Herpes Zoster

• Suh SB
• Kim KJ
• Lee CJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The incidence of herpes zoster is higher among patients with impaired cell mediated immunity. Herpes zoster skin lesions frequently become more severe and run a more protracted course in such patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to firstly elucidate whether there are changes in cell mediated immunity, even in immunocompetent, patients with herpes zoster, and secondly to investigate relationships between these change and the clinical appearance of herpes zoster.
METHODS
T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and delayed hypersensitivity reactions using the Multitest(R) CMI kit were measured in 33 healthy patients with herpes zoster and 28 controls.
RESULTS
As compared with controls, there was a slight decrease in percentages of CD4 lymphocytes, a significant decr eas in percentages of CD8 lyrnphocytes, and a slight increase in CD4/ CD8 ratios in the acute phasr of herpes zoster. The percentages of CD3 lymphocytes were also significantly decreased. Based on the severity of the skin lesion, there was a significant increase in duration of acute herpetic pain. However, there were no signigicant differences in percentages of T lymphocyte subsets based on the severity of skin lesion and duration of acute horpetic pain. In delayed hypersensitivity reations with the Multitest(R)" CMI kit, the intensity and frequencies of positive reactions were significintly decreased in the patients group.
CONCLUSIONS
There are significant changes in peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and delayed hypersensitivity reactions even in other wise healthy patients.

Keyword

Herpes zoster; T lynphocyte subsets; CMI study with Multitest(R) CMI kit

MeSH Terms

Herpes Zoster*
Humans
Hypersensitivity, Delayed
Immunity, Cellular
Incidence
Lymphocytes
Skin
T-Lymphocyte Subsets*