Depression of T cells in Bell's palsy.
We analyzed T-lymphocytes and their subsets in 20 patients with Bell's palsy. We used the monoclonal antibodies anti-Leu-1, anti-Leu-2a, and anti-Leu-3a directed against T-lymphocytes and T suppressor/cytotoxic (Ts) and T helper/inducer (Th) cell subsets. Blood samples taken in the acute and convalescent phases of the illness were compared. The percentage of T cells (Leu-1+ cells) was decreased during the acute stage, mainly because of a reduction of the Th cell subset (Leu-3+ cells). No significant alteration was found in the Ts cell subset (Leu-2+ cells). The T cell and Th cell subset depressions were restored to normal within 4 to 6 weeks of the onset of the palsy. The T cell changes in the peripheral blood in the acute stage of Bell's palsy indicate the involvement of cellular immune mechanisms.
Jonsson
L
L
Department of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Sjöberg
O
O
Thomander
L
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003289:Convalescence; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory