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CD4+ T-lymphocyte alterations in trauma patients
Critical Care volume 16, Article number: 432 (2012)
We read with great interest the article by Heffernan and colleagues reporting an association between persistent lymphopaenia and increasing mortality in trauma patients [1]. We would like to provide some additional data obtained in a similar cohort of patients.
In parallel with a study recently published in Critical Care in which mHLA-DR expression was assessed [2], we evaluated the CD4+ lymphocyte count and the percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in trauma patients. Sixty-five patients were included (mean ± standard deviation): age 41 ± 18 years, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II 45 ± 16, and Injury Severity Score 38 ± 10. Of these patients, 21 developed sepsis (mainly pneumonia - median delay 4 days) and two died of septic shock. Importantly, 3 days after trauma the patients presented with significant CD4+ lymphocyte alterations: a significantly decreased CD4+ T-cell count and an increased regulatory T-cell percentage (versus control values, P <0.0001; Table 1). Interestingly, we observed a trend toward lower CD4+ T-cell values in patients presenting with secondary infections versus non-infected individuals (343 cells/μl vs. 454 cells/μl, respectively).
Our results reinforce the observations made by Heffernan and colleagues [1]. We confirm here that trauma patients exhibit CD4+ T-cell loss with a relative increase in regulatory T-cell values - both parameters associated with unfavourable outcomes after septic shock [3]. Collectively, these data suggest that, in addition to monocyte anergy [2], lymphocyte alterations should be taken into account in the monitoring of trauma patients. Lymphocyte subset counts and phenotyping deserve to be investigated in large cohorts of trauma patients to minutely delineate association with specific clinical outcomes.
Abbreviations
- mHLA-DR:
-
monocytic Human Leukocyte Antigen DR.
References
Heffernan DS, Monaghan SF, Thakkar RK, Machan JT, Cioffi WG, Ayala A: Failure to normalize lymphopenia following trauma is associated with increased mortality, independent of the leukocytosis pattern. Crit Care 2012, 16: R12. 10.1186/cc11157
Cheron A, Floccard B, Allaouchiche B, Guignant C, Poitevin F, Malcus C, Crozon J, Faure A, Guillaume C, Marcotte G, Vulliez A, Monneuse O, Monneret G: Lack of recovery in monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression is independently associated with the development of sepsis after major trauma. Crit Care 2010, 14: R208. 10.1186/cc9331
Venet F, Chung CS, Kherouf H, Geeraert A, Malcus C, Poitevin F, Bohé J, Lepape A, Ayala A, Monneret G: Increased circulating regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+CD127-) contribute to lymphocyte anergy in septic shock patients. Intensive Care Med 2009, 35: 678-686. 10.1007/s00134-008-1337-8
Docke WD, Hoflich C, Davis KA, Rottgers K, Meisel C, Kiefer P, Weber SU, Hedwig-Geissing M, Kreuzfelder E, Tschentscher P, Nebe T, Engel A, Monneret G, Spittler A, Schmolke K, Reinke P, Volk HD, Kunz D: Monitoring temporary immunodepression by flow cytometric measurement of monocytic HLADR expression: a multicenter standardized study. Clin Chem 2005, 51: 2341-2347. 10.1373/clinchem.2005.052639
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Gouel-Chéron, A., Venet, F., Allaouchiche, B. et al. CD4+ T-lymphocyte alterations in trauma patients. Crit Care 16, 432 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/cc11376
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/cc11376