EFFECT OF TONSILLECTOMY ON CELLULAR IMMUNITY (T. LYMPHOCYTES) IN CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT ATTACKS OF ACUTE FOLLICULAR TONSILLITIS

Abstract

This study was intended to throw light on the effect of tonsillectomy on cellular immunity in children with recurrent attacks of acute follicular tonsillitis Immunological functions of the tonsil and possible effects of their removal are still controversial. One reason for this is the lack of follow-up investigation after tonsillectomy. As an introduction to this study a detailed review of literature has been done to clarify different anatomical and physiological aspects of the tonsils. In the present study, selected parameters of the cellular immune system (unprimed naive T-cell (CD45 RA+), helper- T-cell (CD4) and cytotoxic T- cell (CD8) of twenty children 4-12 years (mean 8.2 and SD 2.441) before, one week and two months following tonsillectomy were compared to these of ten age- matched non tonsillectomized children (mean6.8 and$D2.530). CD45 is a tyrosine phosphatase expressed on lymphocytes and act as positive regulator that is required for antigen stimulation and proliferation of T and B cell.