Importance of determination of lymphocytes in intestinal mucosa biopsy specimens using flow cytometry in the evaluation of ulcerative colitis activity

: In this clinical study, we have examined 10 patients with ulcerative colitis. The study group included 5 men and 5 women. The control group consisted of 6 patients with negative colonoscopic finding performed for differential diagnosis of the dyspeptic syndrome. Patients with ulcerative colitis were divided into two groups according to the clinical pattern, macroscopic endoscopic finding, and histological examination of the bioptic specimens. The Ist group of patients with active stage of ulcerative colitis, the IInd group of patients in remission, without clinical and endoscopic signs of disease activity. We have found that from the followed markers the greatest importance lies in the determination of the standard immunologic profile of the mucosa, the determination of activating markers HLA-DR+, CD69, CD122 and CD71 on T-lymphocytes and CD69 and CD71 on B-lymphocytes. The differences between the control group and the group of patients in active stage of the disease were statistically significant. Statistical significance was also found in some of the above-mentioned parameters when comparing the group of active disease and that one in remission (CD4/CD8 ratio, HLA-DR+, CD122 on T-lymphocytes). Our results imply that the changes in the target tissue contribute to more precise assessment and follow-up of therapeutic effect in non-specific inflammatory bowel disease.