[Determination of lymphocyte populations and subpopulations in patients with immunoallergic respiratory disease]

The serum IgE levels were determined; LB and LT groups and T4 (CD4+) and T8 (CD8+) subgroups were quantified, in 20 patients with immunoallergic respiratory disease (rhinosinusitis and/or bronchial asthma). The IgE levels were raised in 90% of the patients (mean value 412 IU/ml; range 56-1000 IU/ml). The LB count was normal or reduced. There was a relationship between LT count and IgE: for low levels of IgE, the LT count was normal and below normal when the IgE levels were high. The T8 subgroup count was normal in 50% of the patients. The T4 subgroup count was below normal in 80% of the patients. Perhaps, a more detailed study of T4 subgroup components, would explain the immunologic finding in these patients. We can conclude that the immune system must be thoroughly studied before instituting a specific immunotherapy.