Modification of lymphocyte subsets in patients with rhinoscleroma

Fusconi, Massimo; Pulice, Gianna; Ippoliti, Flora; Mastronicola, Romina; Ralli, Giovanni; de Vincentiis, Marco

doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2006.03.013

« Previous Next »American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery
Volume 27, Issue 6 , Pages 401-405, November 2006

Modification of lymphocyte subsets in patients with rhinoscleroma

Massimo Fusconi, MD
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics “Giorgio Ferreri”, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Corresponding author. Via R. D'Aronco 18, 00163 Rome, Italy. Tel.: +39 649976812; fax: +39 649976804.
Gianna Pulice, MD
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics “Giorgio Ferreri”, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Flora Ippoliti, MD
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Romina Mastronicola, MD
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics “Giorgio Ferreri”, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Giovanni Ralli, MD
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics “Giorgio Ferreri”, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Marco de Vincentiis, MD
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics “Giorgio Ferreri”, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Abstract

Purpose

Rhinoscleroma is a rare, chronic, granulomatous disorder of the upper airways. This disease presents some etiopathogenetic aspects that are not yet clear. Infection by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis is fundamental for the onset of the disease, but it is impossible to reproduce rhinoscleroma experimentally only via infection with the bacteria both in man and in animals. Furthermore, this disease mainly affects blood-related people and occurs in certain geographic areas. In this context, we present a study that brings to light some of the quantitative abnormalities of the lymphocyte subsets.

Materials and methods

The study group consisted of 5 patients with rhinoscleroma. The following parameters were studied for each patient: clinical manifestations, histologic examinations, number of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and lymphocyte subsets.

Results

In all patients, we noted the following: There was a relative reduction of the CD4+ cells, an absolute increase of the CD8+ cells, and an inversion of the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. There was an absolute increase of the CD56+ cells and cytotoxic cells that coexpress CD8+CD56+ antigens. There was a relative reduction of the CD3+ cells, and the CD19+ cells tended to show an ambiguous behavioral pattern.

Conclusion

We believe that K. rhinoscleromatis does not play a major role in the etiopathogenesis of rhinoscleroma. However, we do believe that the anomalous behavior of the immune system can favor rhinoscleroma.