Role of the cellular immunology function test in preventing and treating the funagal infection following liver transplantation

Abstract

Objective To explore the role of monitoring the cellular immune function in preventing and treating the fungal infection in the recipients of liver transplantation. Methods 679 cadaveric liver transplantations (from Jan. 2004 to Jan. 2010) were retrospectively studied. All the cases were divided into 3 groups according to different treatments and preventing regimens. The patients in groups A, B, C were treated based on the clinical experiences (394 cases), T lymphocyte subsets counting (151 cases), and combination of ATP values of CD4+ T cell and T lymphocyte subsets counting (134 cases), respectively. The infection, mortality and acute rejection rate were analyzed. The relationship between fungal infection and cellular immune function was investigated.Results The fungal infection rate in groups A, B, and C was 28. 9 %, 21.2 %, and 19. 4 % (P 0. 05), and the acute rejection rate was 28. 4 %, 17. 2 %, and 13. 4 % (P<0. 01), respectively. The CD4+ T lymphocyte counting in all cases of fungal infection was (147±43)×106/L. The morbidity could reach 50. 0 % when the CD4+ T lymphocyte counting < 100 ×106/L, while it was 2. 4 % when the counting was between (100-200) ×106/L (P<0. 01). The CD4+ T lymphocyte counting had no linear relation with the ATP value.The ATP value in fungal infection cases was (117 ± 61)μg/L. Conclusion The cellular immune function test could be quantitatively evaluated according to the T lymphocyte subsets and ATP value of CD4+ T lymphocyte. And individualized immunosuppressive therapy could be adjusted accordingly.Therefore, cellular immune function could be instructive in preventing and treating the fungal infection after liver transplantation. Key words: Liver transplantation; Immunity, cellular; Fungi; Infection