Changes in T-lymphocyte subsets and risk factors in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients with active tuberculosis

Purpose Immune function imbalance is closely associated with the occurrence and development of infectious diseases. We studied the characteristics of changes in T-lymphocyte subsets and their risk factors in HIV-negative patients with active tuberculosis (ATB). Methods T-lymphocyte subsets in 275 HIV-negative ATB patients were quantitatively analyzed and compared with an Mycobacteriumtuberculosis-free control group. Single-factor and multifactor analyses of clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients were also conducted. Results In ATB patients, CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts decreased, and the levels were positively interrelated (r = 0.655, P Conclusion CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts showed the evident value in predicting ATB severity. An increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio may be a critical clue of drug resistance in ATB. Although the factors influencing CD4 and CD8 are not identical, our results indicated the importance of serum protein and platelets to ATB patients' immune function.