Lymphocyte subpopulations in hypertrophied adenoid in children

Adenoid hypertophy is a common feature of childhood. It is currently accept ed that it is caused by the antigen-stimulated increased activity of lympho cyte B (D. Bani, O. Gallo, O. Fini-Sturchi. Intraepithelial lymphocyte subp opulations and dendritic accessory cells in normal and hypertrophic adenoid s. Laryngoscope 10(1994) 869-873). The adenoid decreases its size with age but the accompanying function alterations are not fully understood (L. Zawa dzka-Glos. M. Chmielik, M. Wasik, Cell mediated response in hypertrophied t onsils in children, Nowa Pediatr. 4 (1997) 12-13). The understanding of the adenoid structure that undergoes some changes during the growth period is essential for evaluation of indications for adnoidectomy and assessment of its potential results. The aim of this study was to evaluate lymphocyte sub populations in adenoid according to age. The analysed material was adenoids removed on the grounds of hypertrophy, which caused obstructive symptoms a nd/or otitis media with effusion onset. In the present study, we did not fi nd any statistically significant differences among lymphocytes B, Th, and T s subpopulations, respectively. in the adenoids of any of the age groups. W e have found a statistically significant CD3(+) HLA-DR+ cell percentage dec rease in the group of children from 5 to 10 and above 10 years of age, resp ectively. We have also found a statistically significant increase in the pe rcentage of NK (CD3(-) CD16(+) 56(+)) lymphocytes in relation to age. On th e grounds of the current study, it may be stated that some changes in lymph ocyte subpopulations in the adenoid take place with age. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.