Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Immunological factors in the pathogenesis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) were
suggested previously on the basis of the demonstration of mononuclear cell infiltrates and
autoantibodies against the myocardium.
OBJECTIVE:
Was to determine the changes in the percentage of T cell subsets in peripheral blood in order to
investigate the role of cellular immunoregulation in patients with idiopathic dilated
cardiomyopathy.
PATIENT AND METHOD:
The surface markers of peripheral T and B lymphocytes were detected and percentages of helper
(CD4+) and suppressor (CD8+) T lymphocytes subsets in the peripheral blood and their ratio.
(CD4+/CD8+) were determined in 62 patients with IDC and in 50 healthy controls.
RESULTS:
There were no significant differences between IDC and control groups with respect to CD4+ T cell
subsets ( p=0.4). CD8+ T cell percentage was significantly decreased in patients with IDC than in
controls (p=0.005). CD4+/CD8+ ratio was markedly higher in patients with IDC than controls
(p=0.005).
CONCLUSION:
Decreased CD8+ T cell subset is the cause of increased CD4+/CD8+ ratio, which may imply
decreased self-tolerance and an immunoregulatory defect in the pathogenesis of IDC.