[Cellular immunity in viral hepatitis B and its transition into chronic forms]

The authors studied population and subpopulation composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes and HBV circulation markers in 126 patients in the acute period of the disease and prophylactic screening within 6 months. It was established that in case of complete recovery the changes of immunocompetent cells had a transitory character. Replication forms of chronic hepatitis the immune status showed marked T-lymphopenia with prevailing reduction of T-suppressors. The role of cellular immunity in the formation of chronic liver disease is discussed.