The aim of this study was to identify the condition of the lymphocytic pool in patients with reactive arthritis caused by chlamydia and EBV infection. Patients with reactive arthritis met the diagnostic criteria according to the Protocol of the Ministry of Health Care of Ukraine as of October 12, 2016. Bacteriological examination of throat cultures to identify the probable infection with the bacterial pathogens that usually cause tonsillitis (Streptococcus, Staphylococcus) was performed in all patients. EBV infection was verified by clinical and laboratory, serological (identification of specific IgM, IgG to various EBV antigens), and molecular genetic (detection of DNA virus) studies. To diagnose Chlamydia infection, the presence of specific antibodies IgM, IgG, IgA to C. trachomatis and DNA bacteria were investigated. Lymphocyte phenotyping and determination of the expression of the main activation markers was conducted with flow cytofluorometry technique using appropriate BD Multitest monoclonal antibodies of Bekton Dickenson (USA). Our results indicate quantitative changes in the functional characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with reactive arthritis. There was a significant (P << 0,05) increase in the absolute number of CD 45-lymphocytes (g/L) in patients with EBV (<$E2,62~symbol С~0,35> g/L; P << 0,05) and in patients with double infection - EBV and C. Trachomatis (<$E2,43~symbol С~0,27> g/L; P << 0,05) compared with patients with reactive arthritis induced by tonsillitis (<$E1,83~symbol С~0,23> g/L). The relative number of T-cytotoxic (CD8<^>+) lymphocytes decreased compared to healthy individuals in three trial groups: reactive arthritis and C. Trachomatis (<$E22~symbol С~4,9> %), reactive arthritis with double infection - EBV and C. Trachomatis (<$E21~symbol С~6,8> %), reactive arthritis and EBV. The absolute number of T-helpers was significantly higher in patients with reactive arthritis and double infection - EBV and C. Trachomatis (<$E0,96~symbol С~0,06> g/L) and reactive arthritis and EBV (<$E0,91~symbol С~0,05> g/L) compared to healthy individuals (<$E0,70~symbol С~0,05> g/L, P << 0,05). An increase in the number of T-helpers in patients with reactive arthritis may indicate a powerful stimulating activity of these infections on the lymphocytes of patients. A significant increase in the subpopulation of B-lymphocytes (CD3 - CD19<^>+) in relative and absolute values in patients with reactive arthritis and EBV (<$E20~symbol С~4,5> %, <$E0,36~symbol С~0,031> g/L) compared with healthy individuals (<$E15~symbol С~4,2> %, <$E0,23~symbol С~0,027> g/L, P << 0,05) was observed. It is known that the virus can act as an adjuvant in the development of autoimmunity, stimulating the immune response nonspecifically, disrupting immunological control over EBV replication. Chlamydia as intracellular organisms are also able to avoid specific immune cleansing, which is the ground for the persistence of antigens. Thus, the long-term persistence of microbial components of chlamydia and EBV contributes to joint damage, increases lymphocytic expansion, strengthens the systemic immune response, which can lead to autoimmunization, and further cause the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

• Ломіковська Марта Павлівна (медичні науки)
• Кріль Ірина Йосифівна (біологічні науки)

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