Immune responses after acute ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction

BackgroundWe recently demonstrated an immediate immunodepressive state after acute ischemic stroke in humans.MethodsIn 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).ResultsCompared 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.ConclusionsOur data reveal an immediate and to some extent differential suppression of cell-mediated immune responses after ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction respectively.