Characteristics of T lymphocyte subsets and their apparent effect on infection in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with Immune deficiency. T lymphocytes are significant components of the adaptive immune system. Previous studies have found dysfunction of T lymphocytes in patients with CKD,but the changing trend of the absolute number of T lymphocytes and the relationship with infection has been still unclear in CKD. Methods We collected 447 patients with CKD, tested the absolute counts of T lymphocyte subsets, explored the relationship between the absolute count of T lymphocytes and renal function, and explored these impacts on infection. Results absolute counts of T lymphocyte gradually decrease as CKD progresses. The patients with infection demonstrated fewer T lymphocyte cells compared with non-infected patients. CD4 + (cluster of differentiation 4) T lymphocytes are closely related to infection and CD4 + T < 469 cells/µl has a certain value in predicting infection in patients with CKD. Conclusion With the gradual decline of renal function in CKD patients, the level of T lymphocytes gradually decreased and the risk of infection gradually increased. The CD4 + T absolute count has a specific predictive power for infection in patients with chronic kidney disease. Our results suggest a new feasible strategy for preventing infections in CKD patients.