title: Changes in the lymphocyte subset after double-filtration plasmapheresis.
abstract: To investigate the direct impact of membrane plasmapheresis on the distribution of lymphocyte subsets, paired blood specimens from 18 healthy volunteers were studied before and immediately after a single session of double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFP). After a single session of DFP treatment, the number of helper T cells had increased by 2.34% (P = .0142), whereas the suppressor T cells decreased by 2.22% (P = .0095), with consequent increases in the T-helper/T-suppressor (Th/Ts) ratio (P < .0001). The number of B cells was also significantly increased (P = .0012) after DFP treatment; however, total T and natural killer cells did not differ after treatment. Older volunteers ( > 40 years) had significantly higher percentages of B (P = .0002) and helper T (P = .0432) cells after treatment. In contrast, younger subjects had a lower percentage of suppressor T cells (P = .0174). However, the Th/Ts ratio increased significantly irrespective of age group (P = .0016) and sex (P = .0016). A single session of membrane plasmapheresis seemed to activate the cellular immune system in our sample of 18 healthy volunteers, increasing the number of B cells and the Th/Ts ratio.
authors.affiliation: Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Department of Neurology, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jiann-Horng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Pei-Ju
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Yu-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.forename: Chwen-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Hou-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis