Human fascioliasis: T cell subsets in liver before and after bithionol treatment.
Liver biopsies from 5 patients with established fascioliasis, before and after bithionol treatment were studied by immunoalkaline phosphatase technique for relative distribution of T cells and their subpopulations. T cell and its subsets are defined for OKT3+ (pan T), OKT4+ (helper/inducer) and OKT8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) cells by using mouse monoclonal antibodies. Before bithionol treatment, lymphocytic infiltration in all hepatic lesions were predominantly of OKT3+ (pan T) lymphocytes. The distribution of OKT8+ cells was moderate to severe in comparison to the few OKT4+ cells presentation. After bithionol a noticeable regression of the OKT3 lymphocytic in all liver sections. The majority of the lymphocytic infiltration was of the OKT8+ cells, in comparison to the absence of the OKT4+ ones. This may indicate that suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes may have a role in the immune regulation of the disease and the mode of action of bithionol is by the accentuation of this immunoregulatory effect.
Abdel Rahman
Z A
ZA
Department of Immunology, Alexandria University.
Fadali
G A
GA
Abou Basha
L M
LM
D001735:Bithionol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
D001735:Bithionol