Background: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a worldwide devastating health problem due to
its increased prevalence in the population and high association with several pathologic
conditions including immunodeficiency, which makes a significant contribution to morbidity
and mortality. Aim: The present study aimed at analysis of T and B lymphocyte subpopulation
and the detection of flowcytometric apoptosis markers on peripheral B and T lymphocytes in a
cohort of children with ESRD. Subjects and methods: A case–control study was conducted on
28 children with ESRD. In addition, 30 age and sex matched healthy children were included as a
control group. We used Annexin V-FITC binding assay as a sensitive probe for identifying cells
undergoing apoptosis. Results: Circulating neutrophils, T and B lymphocytes were lower in
patient group. In addition, apoptotic B and T lymphocytes occurred more frequently in children
with ESRD than in the control group. Conclusion: Our finding of low numbers of circulating
neutrophils, T and B lymphocytes, and increased portion of apoptotic B and T lymphocytes in
children with ESRD, may emphasize the fact that these derangements are the main mechanisms
responsible for the impairment of the immune system in ESRD children, also it adds to the fact
that both cellular and humoral immunity affected in ESRD children. Finally, uremia and
increased peripheral lymphocyte apoptosis were the major causes of lymphocyte populations’
depletion in our ESRD patients.