title: Lymphocyte subset T4/T8 ratio in systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with disease activity, laboratory abnormalities and treatment.
abstract: Lymphocyte subsets were studied in forty-nine patients with SLE using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. A decrease in T4+ reactive cells (helper/inducer) was the most frequent observation. Decreased T4/T8 ratios were seen in patients with increasing clinically active disease, patients with positive anti-DS-DNA, positive anti-RNP antibodies and patients with low CH50 activity. However, low T4/T8 ratios were seen in patients with negative anti-Sm. Low T4/T8 ratios were also observed in patients taking prednisone at more than 10 mg/day and in patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011241:Prednisone