ASSESSMENT OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBGROUPS IN CHRONIC BRUCELLOSIS BEFORE AND AFTER IMMUNOTHERAPY

Brucellosis is an infectious disease and it seems that it affects human immune system and can cause acute, subacute and chronic clinical features. Forty patients suffering from chronic brucellosis were studied for CD3+, CD4+,CD8+, CD19+, cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio by flow cytometry before and after treatment with antibiotics and immunopotentiators. The results were compared with 15 healthy controls. The patients were divided into three groups: 1) antibiotic, 2) levomisol + antibiotic, and 3)treated with cimetidine + antibiotic. The results showed a significant decrease of B cells (CD19+), CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in comparison with normal subjects before treatment. In the first group, significant decrease of CD4 T cells and CD4/CD8 ratio inversion were seen after immunotherapy. The 3rd group showed the best correction of phenotype quantity. In other words, significant increase of CD4+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, CD4+/CD8+ratio and decrease of CD8+ T cells were seen with cimetidine immunotherapy.