[Subpopulations of peripheral T lymphocytes (Th/Ts) in atopic dermatitis and in psoriasis]

In 32 patients with widespread psoriasis (PS) and 23 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) the numbers of peripheral blood pan-T-lymphocytes and their subsets, T-helper (Th) and T-suppressor (Ts) lymphocytes were estimated, using monoclonal antibodies, and compared with the corresponding values in 34 healthy controls. In PS patients, there was a trend towards lowered values (Th/Ts ratio: 1.0-2.6; median value: 1.6), but no other significant changes were seen. In patients with AD, however, the number of circulating pan-T-lymphocytes was increased, with significantly increased Th values and significantly lowered values for Ts lymphocytes (P less than 0.01). The calculated Th/Ts ratio, therefore, was significantly elevated in patients with AD (1.9-4.2; median value 2.8), compared to normal controls (1.4-2.0; median value 1.7). No significant correlation could be detected between Th/Ts ratio and IgE levels in 16 patients with severe AD (r = 0.451). We conclude that quantitative changes in circulating T-cell subsets may represent a characteristic feature of atopic dermatitis.