[T-lymphocyte subpopulations in acute viral hepatitis]

The variability of the clinical course in viral hepatitis depends more on the immune response of the host that on the type of virus involved. Inductors/helpers (LT4) or cytotoxic/suppressors (LT8) T-lymphocytes regulate the immune response which can be modified during infection or in homosexuals who are at high risk for viral infection. We studied 45 males with viral hepatitis (25 B, 13 A, and 7 non A-non B hepatitis), 20 normal and 20 homosexual subjects. LT4, LT8 and B lymphocytes were determined by immunofluorescence in peripheral blood. A significant and transient decrease in levels of LT4 was found in A and B hepatitis (670 and 591 per ml vs 873 for normals). In some hepatitis B cases this decrease persisted until the HB serum antigen disappeared. Increased levels of LT8 were found in asymptomatic or hepatitis B infected homosexuals (682 and 782 respectively vs 506 per ml in normals). No difference from normals were found in non A-non B hepatitis. B lymphocytes were normal in all groups. Serum factors acting as immunoregulators of suppressors of LT4 function may be involved in the delayed synthesis of anti-HB serum antibody.