Abstract
Cellular subpopulations that infiltrate the heart in human chronic chagasic myocarditis were defined immunohistochemically in endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) specimens. T cells formed 96.3% of the inflammatory infiltrate, predominantly CD8+ (cytotoxic/ suppressor) T cells. The mean numbers of CD8+ and CD4+ (helper) T cells in the myocarditis were compared to those present in the myocardial rejection process. Mean numbers of CD8+ T cells were similar in both groups of EMB specimens while CD4+ T cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratios and CD4+ antigen expression were significantly lower in the chagasic group compared to the myocardial rejection group (P<0.002). The persistent lower number and diminished expression of CD4+ T cells suggest an immunological imbalance in patients with chronic chagasic myocarditis. A possible participation ofTrypanosoma cruzi parasites in the development of such immunological abnormalities is also discussed.
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Higuchi, M.d.L., Gutierrez, P.S., Aiello, V.D. et al. Immunohistochemical characterization of infiltrating cells in human chronic chagasic myocarditis: Comparison with myocardial rejection process. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 423, 157–160 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01614765
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01614765