The Lymphocyte Phenotype in Patients with Primary Fibromyalgia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the lymphocyte phenotype in fibromyalgia (FB) patients.

Nineteen patients [18 females, 1 male] who met the ACR classification criteria for FB were recruited into the study. The florescence of leukocytes was measured using Ortho Cytotron Absolute flow cytometer. Ortho-mune monoclonal antibodies [OK-Combo-Tests] were used for determination of the following antigens: CD3/CD19, CD3/HLA-DR, CD4/CD8, CD45RA/CD4. Serum IgE was established with ELISA [Merck, Germany].

There were no differences in percentage of CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, CD3/HLA-DR and CD4/CD45RA cells as compared to healthy controls. We found a negative correlation between CD4 and CD8, CD3DR and IgE, CD8 and IgE concentration. The positive correlation between CD3 and CD3DR, CD3DR and CD8 was observed.

The inhibitory effect of CD8+ cells subpopulation on B-cells and thereby on IgE production in patients afflicting for allergy has been already observed. Moreover, the symptoms to allergy has been found in about 50% of our patients. Taken together the data thus far obtained present a coexistence of symptoms of allergy and FB.