T lymphocyte subsets in chronic AgHBe positive hepatitis and the effects of prednisone therapy.
T lymphocyte subsets were studied in 18 patients with chronic AgHBe positive hepatitis. The study was carried out before, during and after a ten week course of prednisone therapy. There was no statistically significant difference during and after prednisone therapy in patients with hepatitis as to the total lymphocyte number and T lymphocyte subsets. The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly decreased when compared with that of the normal controls, as the result of a reduction in CD4 T lymphocyte population before the beginning of the therapy. The patients did not respond to prednisone therapy.
Mattar
R
R
Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo.
da Fonseca
L E
LE
da Silva
L C
LC
D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets
D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D011241:Prednisone