Lymphocyte Subsets and Plasma Interleukin Concentrations in Children With Acute Rheumatic Fever

Plasma interleukin (IL-2) and T-cell subpopulations were evaluated in children with acute rheumatic fever (RF). Three groups were included: 19 patients with active RF, 24 with non-active RF, and 30 controls. Among the 43 patients with RF 30 had rheumatic heart disease. T-cell subsets were measured via indirect immune fluorescence method by using monoclonal antibodies. IL-2 were measured by the ELݬ SA method. The percentages of CD3+ and CD8+ cells of active and non-active RF cases were found to be decreased, the ratio of CD4: CD8 cells was found to be significantly increased. There was no increase in IL-2 concentration in active and non-active RF cases. Furthermore, no significant differences were found inT-cell subgroups with or without cardiac involvement. In conclusion, we observed a decrease in CD3+ and CD8 + cell levels both in active and non-active periods. It is likely that longitudinal follow-up of RF patients for CD3+ and CD8+ levels gives more satisfactory information about this disease.