title: The role of lymphocyte subset analysis in defining the clinical evolution of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Thirty patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) were examined monthly for one year. Each time, neurological examination, clinical history and monoclonal-antibody-defined T cell subsets were evaluated. Particularly, the helper/suppressor ratio (T4/T8) and the T4/T8 test-to-test variability (delta T4/T8) were considered in relation to the occurrence of clinical exacerbations. Statistically significant correlations were found between clinical course and laboratory parameters, suggesting a possible role of T cell subset analysis in defining the clinical evolution of MS.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology