Immune and cytokine disorders in patients with chronic foot osteomyelitis

Aim. To study the cell and humoral immunity and cytokine status in patients with chronic foot osteomyelitis associated with diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Methods. Immune and cytokine status was assessed in 20 patients with chronic foot osteomyelitis. Results were compared to control group of 20 healthy blood donors. Patients underwent clinical examination, lymphocyte populations phenotypes, phagocytes, immunoglobulins and interleukins concentration were studied. Statistical analysis was performed using «Excel» and «Statistica 10» software. To compare immunological parameters, Newman-Keuls test was used. Results. Development of foot osteomyelitis was associated with decreasing of phagocytic activity, absolute and relative number of T-helpers, NK-cells, increasing of T-cytotoxic cells number, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Conclusion. A marked suppression of cell-mediated immunity and increased blood levels of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines were found in patients with chronic foot osteomyelitis. Standard treatment decreased, but did not normalize the immune and cytokine imbalance.

chronic osteomyelitis, immune status, cytokine status