BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease. This study’s objective was to estimate the
variations in the population of CD4+CD25+High FoxP3+ cells (CD4+ regulatory T-lymphocytes; Tregs) in previously untreated
children with chronic ITP managed in Assiut University Hospitals, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone
(HD-DXM) in these patients.
METHODS: In this study, we investigated the frequencies of T-lymphocyte subsets in 27 untreated children with chronic ITP.
RESULTS: Prior to treatment, the percentages of CD4+CD25High cells and Tregs were significantly lower in the chronic ITP group
compared to the control group (p = 0.018 and p < 0.0001, respectively). After treatment with HD-DXM, Tregs and platelets were
significantly increased in these patients (p < 0.0001 for both).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Tregs are deficient in children with chronic ITP and that HD-DXM immunosuppressive
therapy can restore the levels of these cells.