RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To analyze and quantify the CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte populations in inflammatory hyperplasia and to establish the relationship between the frequency and location of these cells and Candida infection. METHODS: Samples of inflammatory hyperplasia were stained with PAS for evidence of Candida sp. and were classified in two groups, infected and control, according to the presence or absence of infection. After immunoreaction with specific anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies, the distribution and frequency of the positive cells were analyzed in 41 cases (19 controls without Candida sp. and 22 infected cases). Lymphocytes were quantified in the three consecutive fields where the inflammatory infiltration was concentrated. RESULTS: There was no relationship between the frequency and location of CD4(+) T cells and Candida sp. infection. The number of CD8(+) cells close to the fungi hyphae as well as the total number of CD8(+) T cells present in inflammatory hyperplasia were higher in the Candida sp. group than in the control noninfected group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Since the CD8(+) T cells were distributed according to the location of Candida sp. hyphae, and since a higher CD8(+)/total lymphocytes ratio was observed in the infected group, we suggest a role for CD8(+) T cells in the defense against Candida in oral infections associated with inflammatory hyperplasia in immunocompetent individuals.