Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Early Human Pregnancy

Abstract

In this study design, each woman served as her own control and all factors remained constant except the pregnancy state. Early pregnancy causes a reduction in total lymphocytes of about 6% expressed as a percentage of total white cell count, and in CD4+ cells by 3% as a percentage of lymphocytes, or 100/mm3. We believe this fall can be accepted as definitive.

Predictors of CD4+ lymphocyte count among HIV-Seropositive and HIV-Seronegative pregnant women in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

“…The distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets among healthy HlV-seronegative pregnant women were similar to those reported by other studies in both developing and industrialised countries (mean 736 -828 cells/mm 3 ) (24)(25)(26). Several studies have observed a reduction in CD4+ lymphocyte count during pregnancy among HIV-seropositive women (24)(25)(26)(27) and a return to normal levels at time of delivery (25,27) or during the first few weeks after delivery (24,26). Potential mechanisms to explain these changes include pregnancy induced leukocytosis that leads to increased WBC count and decreased percentage of lymphocytes(28), haemodilution resulting from increased blood volume (24), re-distribution of CD4+ cells in tissues and lymph nodes (27), and hormonal changes associated with pregnancy (29).…”

“…Several studies have observed a reduction in CD4+ lymphocyte count during pregnancy among HIV-seropositive women (24)(25)(26)(27) and a return to normal levels at time of delivery (25,27) or during the first few weeks after delivery (24,26). Potential mechanisms to explain these changes include pregnancy induced leukocytosis that leads to increased WBC count and decreased percentage of lymphocytes(28), haemodilution resulting from increased blood volume (24), re-distribution of CD4+ cells in tissues and lymph nodes (27), and hormonal changes associated with pregnancy (29). These changes complicate the interpretation of T-lymphocyte subset results in studies involving pregnant women.…”

Low CD4 + T-Lymphocyte Values in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Adults in Botswana

“…Recent studies show that HIV-negative females have higher average CD4 ϩ LCs than males (22,32,38), a finding supported by the results of our studies with both populations, particularly blood donors. Similar studies also report that CD4 ϩ LCs decline during early pregnancy in women without HIV infection (18,37). The findings from a more recent study characterizing the effects of pregnancy on CD4 ϩ LCs (conducted with HIV-infected pregnant women) are less conclusive (41).…”

Cutaneous anergy in pregnant and nonpregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus

“…Studies have demonstrated that CD4+T lymphocytes decline during normal pregnancy by approximately 100 cells/ mm 3 . 12,13 Others have reported no difference in T lymphocyte subsets between HIV-infected and noninfected women. 19 Since anergy has been shown to be indirectly proportional to the CD4+T lymphocyte count, pregnant women would theoretically be more likely to have anergic test results.…”

“…Since CD4+T lymphocytes have been reported to decline steadily during pregnancy by some authors, it is theoretically possible that anergy would be more common in pregnant than nonpregnant women. 12,13 Our objective is to determine the prevalence of cutaneous anergy among HIVseropositive pregnant and nonpregnant women.…”