T-cell populations in liver and renal transplant recipients with infectious esophagitis.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-1989
Abstract
Individuals undergoing hepatic and renal transplants are susceptible to infections of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the esophagus. The most common responsible agents are Candida and herpes simplex virus (HSV) with cytomegalovirus (CMV), Aspergillus, and other agents being regarded as unusual pathogens even in this unique population. Altered T-cell populations have been associated with CMV colitis in healthy homosexuals and in individuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Similarly, individuals with Epstein-Barr virus infections have altered T-cell populations. Whether these infections alter T-cell populations in infected individuals or the abnormalities in T-cell subpopulations occur first and enhance the likelihood of an infection in susceptible populations is as yet unknown. In this study peripheral blood T-cell populations in individuals before (19 patients) and after (47 patients) liver transplantation and after receiving a renal allograft (21 patients) were compared. Those individual having any symptoms related to esophageal disease underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy combined with mucosal biopsies, brushings, and cultures and were subdivided into those with and without infectious esophagitis. CMV esophagitis was found to be associated with an arithmetically decreased T-cell helper/suppressor (H/S) ratio principally due to an increase in the suppressor cell number. Such a reduction in the TH/S ratio and in the number of circulating suppressor cells was not found in esophagitis due to either HSV or Candida and was unrelated to the serum cyclosporine level or prednisone dosage prescribed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Volume
34
Issue
1
First Page
92
Last Page
96
ISSN
0163-2116
Published In/Presented At
Brouillette, D. E., Alexander, J., Yoo, Y. K., Chien, M. C., Tarter, R. E., Gavaler, J., & Van Thiel, D. H. (1989). T-cell populations in liver and renal transplant recipients with infectious esophagitis. Digestive diseases and sciences, 34(1), 92–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01536160
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
2535981
Department(s)
Department of Medicine
Document Type
Article