Immune responses after acute ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: We recently demonstrated an immediate immunodepressive state after acute ischemic stroke in humans.

Methods: In the present study, we prospectively analyzed immune responses in patients with middle cerebral artery stroke (n=20), acute myocardial infarction (n=20) and healthy controls (n=20, also matched for age and gender).

Results: Compared to controls, a rapid depression of monocytic HLA-DR expression and a defective lymphocytic IFN-γ production was obvious after ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction, while total counts of leukocytes and monocytes were significantly higher after myocardial infarction. A T cell-mediated lymphopenia was accentuated in patients with severe stroke, obviously predisposing these patients for nosocomial infections.

Conclusions: Our data reveal an immediate and to some extent differential suppression of cell-mediated immune responses after ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction respectively.