Gamma delta T cells are decreased in the blood of children with Bordetella pertussis infection.

The biological role of T cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta bearing cells is not yet fully understood. We studied 12 children with Bordetella pertussis infection and 12 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients with whooping-cough yielded significantly lower relative and absolute numbers of blood TCR-gamma delta + cells than normal controls (both p < 0.001). It is suggested that the depletion of circulating gamma delta T cells in patients with Bordetella pertussis infection might be the result of the dispatch of these cells to the site of inflammation, i.e. the bronchial mucosa. Interestingly, other human lung diseases, such as allergic bronchial asthma and sarcoidosis display similar pulmonary phenotypical features.