b-Thalassemia is a significant public health
problem in Egypt. Infectious complications represent the
second most common cause of mortality and the major
cause of morbidity in b-thalassemia major (BTM). The
increased susceptibility of these patients to infectious diseases
has been attributed to the abnormalities of the immune
system, which is evident by systemic inflammation and
immune deficiency. In a case control study, 35 patients with
BTM were compared with 30 sex- and age-matched children
who served as controls. Serum ferritin, high-sensitive
CRP (hsCRP), leptin and adiponectin levels were determined
in all subjects. Apoptosis of neutrophils and
lymphocytes was measured by the Annexin V-fluoroisothiocyanate
binding assay. Serum leptin was significantly
lower in patients when compared to controls. In contrast,
adiponectin and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in
the patients than the controls. Positive correlation was
found between adiponectin and hsCRP. BTM patients had
significantly higher total leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes
compared with controls. BTM children exhibited a
significantly increased apoptosis in T-lymphocytes; however,
there was no significant difference in the percentage of
apoptosis of B-lymphocytes and neutrophils between the
patients and the controls. There was a significant negative
correlation between serum leptin and the percentage ofapoptotic T-lymphocytes. Our BTM patients had a high
percentage of apoptotic T-lymphocyte in comparison with
controls. In addition, they had disturbed serum levels of
adipocytokines and inflammatory markers. These derangements
could have a role in the immunological disturbance
observed in thalassemic patients.