Исследование тимопоэза у детей с тимомегалией с помощью определения тимусных эксцизионных колец

The article demonstrates that in children with thymomegalia the process of T-lymphopoesis in thymus is depressed. The functional condition of thymus was evaluated by detection of T-receptor excisional rings using polymerase chain reaction technique in real time. The T-receptor excisional rings are circular molecular structures developing in the process of rearrangement of V-genes of T-cell receptor. The most intensive and statistically reliable decreasing of content of T-receptor excisional rings in lymphocytes of blood is detected during first two years of life: 29.6 (18.1-41.0) copies per 1000 lymphocytes against 73.3 (54.0-83.8) copies in control. Hereinafter, (after two years) difference in level of T-receptor excisional rings inc children with thymomegalia in comparison with children without enlargement of thymus is less expressed i.e. it amounts to 1.8 times at the age before 10 years. In individuals of older age thymomegalia is a rather rare pathology. The examination of single patient aged of 40 years and with thymomegalia factually total absence of T-receptor excisional rings in cells of his blood was established.