Difference of immunological and inflammatory indices between mild type and severe type of adult pandemic (H1N1) patients

Abstract

To study the difference of immunological and inflammatory indices between mild type and severe type of adult pandemic (H1N1) patients. White blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocyte counts, level of C3 and C4, CH50, immunoglobulin A/G/M and CRP from 166 pandemic (H1N1) patients during acute and recovery phases were recorded and analyzed. A lowered lymphocyte count and an elevated monocyte count were observed in both groups during acute phase. And both were corrected during recovery phase. The absolute values of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were much lower in severe group than those in mild group. During acute phase, the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated in both groups while it was higher in the severe group than that in the mild group. During recovery phase, the CRP level fell after a rise in both groups while it was quicker in the severe group than that in the mild group. During acute phase, the majority of CH50 became mildly elevated. And it was higher in severe patients than mild ones. Lymphocyte count, CD4(+) & CD8(+) T lymphocyte counts and CRP & CH50 values provide useful information for the diagnosis of pandemic (H1N1) and the evaluation of its severity.