T　Lymphocyte Subsets And Serum Cytokine Changes In Acute Phases Of Herpes Zoster: Relationship To The Development Of Postherpetic Neuralgia

Objective:Postherpetic neuralgia(PHN) is the most common and most severe sequela of herpes zoster(HZ).The mechanism of PHN is still unclear.It seems that the degeneration of VZV-specific cell immunity is associated with PHN since PHN often occurs in ages and immunecomprisment patients.In order to farther clarify the immune mechanism of PHN,we have studied the T lymphocyte subsets and the serum cytokine levels in acute zoster patients to investigate the relationship between cell-mediated immunity and PHN.Methods:We studied 49 patients with herpes zoster.According to the follow-up results,they were divided into two groups:group A(PHN not developed) and group B(PHN developed).A control group of healthy volunteers with a similar age and gender range and distribution as the patients was recruited and consisted 25 patients. T lymphocyte subsets were detected by fluorescein antivated cell sorter(FACS) and serum cytokines were detected by flow cytomery using a relatively new technique: Cytometric bead array(CBA).Results:There was no significant difference in gender and age between groups.The visual analogue scales(VAS) in group B were significantly higher than group A.T lymphocyte subsets were significantly decreased in group A and B compared with the control group(P＜0.05),but there were no significant difference between group A and B(P＞0.05).The CD4/CD8 ratio in group A was significantly increased compared with the control group(P＜0.05).Serum cytokine levels of TNFα,IL-6,IL-1β,IL-10,IL-8 all increased in group A and B compared with the control group,but only the IL-6 concentration was differed significantly between group A and B(P＜0.05).Conclusion:1.There was degeneration of cell-mediated immunity in HZ patients during acute phase reflecting the percent of the T lymphocytes subsets decreased.2.The overexpression of the proinflammatory cytokines and the insufficient expression of the negative immunoregulatory cytokines may induce PHN. IL-6 may be the sensitive signal of PHN.