Immune responses after acute ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction

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-gamma 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. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.