title: Immunoglobulin levels and CD4 / CD8 counts in β- thalassemia major.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study determined the CD4, CD8 counts and serum immunoglobulins in transfusion dependent b - thalassemic patients, and correlated them with anti-HIV, anti-HCV and HBsAg status, number of transfusions, iron overload and splenectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with acute or chronic diseases (except HIV, Hepatitis B and C), on immunosuppressive drugs or vaccinated within one month prior to study were excluded. CD4, CD8 counts and serum Immunoglobulins were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increasing transfusions led to higher IgA and IgM as well as a decline in CD4 and CD8 levels. Higher ferritin correlated with high IgM. CD4, CD8 and IgA were significantly higher in splenectomized subjects. HCV correlated significantly with lower IgA values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher transfusion requirement, iron overload, splenectomy and HCV infection correlated with alterations in different immunological parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, India. Correspondence to: Dr Mamta Manglani, Professor and Head, Pediatrics, Chief, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College AND General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai 400 022, India. mmanglani@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Kadam
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Manglani
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Setia
mesh_terms: D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D013156:Splenectomy; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins