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Infection and Immunity, September 2002, p. 5019-5025, Vol. 70, No. 9
0019-9567/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.70.9.5019-5025.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Pneumococcal Infections in Humans Are Associated with Increased Apoptosis and Trafficking of Type 1 Cytokine-Producing T Cells

Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark

Received 7 February 2002/ Returned for modification 29 April 2002/ Accepted 29 May 2002

Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The immunopathology is characterized by an intense inflammatory reaction, including a strong acute-phase response and increased numbers of neutrophils in the circulation. However, little is known regarding the T-cell response during in vivo infections in humans. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that activated T cells producing type 1 cytokines were engaged in the host response to pneumococcal infections. The phenotype and function of T cells were studied in 22 patients at admission to a department of infectious diseases and after antibiotic treatment for 1 week compared with an age-matched, healthy control group. Pneumococcal infections induced lymphopenia in the circulation due to the disappearance of activated T lymphocytes with a type 1 cytokine profile. In contrast, the numbers of naive T cells and interleukin-4-producing T cells did not change. Activated type 1 cytokine-producing cells reappeared in the circulation in relation to the treatment and clinical improvement. The underlying mechanisms during infection may include sequestration in the peripheral tissues and/or apoptosis. In fact, increased activation-induced apoptosis in the remaining peripheral lymphocytes and elevated levels of soluble Fas ligand were detected at admission to the hospital. In conclusion, these data suggest that activated T lymphocytes with a type 1 cytokine profile are highly engaged in the in vivo immune response to S. pneumoniae.

Editor: E. I. Tuomanen

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