Peripheral CD4+ T cells showing a Th2 phenotype in a patient with Mikulicz's disease associated with lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion

Mod Rheumatol. 2008;18(1):86-90. doi: 10.1007/s10165-007-0010-3. Epub 2007 Dec 20.

Abstract

Mikulicz's disease (MD) is a unique IgG4-related systemic disease indicated by enlargement of the lachrymal and salivary glands and which differs substantially from Sjögren's syndrome. A male patient with pleural effusion, swelling of the submandibular glands, and swelling of the paraaortic, mediastinal, and pararenal lymph nodes was diagnosed with MD. Analysis of peripheral CD4+ T cells from the patient revealed deviation of the Th1/Th2 balance to Th2. Prednisolone therapy ameliorated the disease and corrected the Th1/Th2 imbalance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Diseases / complications*
  • Lymphatic Diseases / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Count*
  • Male
  • Mikulicz' Disease / complications*
  • Mikulicz' Disease / drug therapy
  • Mikulicz' Disease / immunology
  • Pleural Effusion / complications*
  • Pleural Effusion / cytology
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Th1 Cells
  • Th2 Cells*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisolone