PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF THE CD4 CD8 LYMPHOCYTE RATIO IN MODERATELY BURNEDPATIENTS/

We investigated CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subpopulations, as well as the CD4/CD8 ratio in 84 moderately burned patients with injuries affec ting 11-36 per cent of their total body surface area (TBSA). These lym phocyte subpopulations were quantified by indirect immunofluorescence measurement 7 and 60 days postburn. The results obtained 7 days postbu rn were highly significant in those patients who developed septicaemia , all of whom had considerably decreased CD4+ and increased CD8+ T-cel l numbers, as well as inverted CD4/CD8 ratios. Consequently, the CD4/C D8 ratio may provide valuable information for prognosis of patient evo lution and the establishment of early treatment in order to avoid like ly future complications.