title: Thymus-derived lymphocytes in type B acute viral hepatitis and healthy carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
abstract: To assess thymus-derived (T) lymphocyte function in hepatitis B infection, lymphocytes from patients with type B acute viral hepatitis and healthy carriers of the hepatitis B surface antigen, were compared to normal controlss using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) -induced blast cell transformation and sheep-cell rosette formation. Overall cell (T lymphocyte) -mediated immune function was similar with these in vitro assays in all three groups, except for decreases in total T cells in isolated patients with acute disease. Consequently, if a defect in cellular immunity exists in normal controls with persistent hepatitis B infection, it is probably specific for the antigens of the hepatitis B virus and not related to a generalized impairment of T-lymphocyte function.
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D012713:Serum Sickness / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D037102:Lectins; D014316:Tritium; D013936:Thymidine