Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with viral warts

Peripheral blood T-cell subpopulations were evaluated in 32 patients affected by viral warts and in 32 unaffected individuals belonging to a control group. A significant decrease was found in total lymphocytes as well as OKT3 and OKT4 subsets among affected patients. A significant negative correlation was also found between OKT3 and OKT4 numbers as well as OKT4/OKT8 ratio and duration and extent of lesions. A significant positive correlation was found between the duration and the extent of lesions and the percentage of OKT8 subsets, but not the total number of OKT8. These data confirm that a cell-mediated immune deficiency is present in patients with viral warts. We then discuss whether the decrease of cellular immunity in these patients is a primary event or, rather, the result of persistent verrucosis.