T-lymphocytes and nonspecific T-suppressor activity in patients with extrinsic asthma

The authors studied the distribution of T-lymphocytes (T-Et and T-Ea) and the nonspecific T-suppressor activity induced by ConA in a group of 104 patients (adults and children) with extrinsic asthma. Comparison with the control group revealed a diminution in the T-Et population (p less than 0.01), no significant change in the T-Ea population and a diminished nonspecific T-suppressor activity (p less than 0.001). The possible role of the T functional deficiency in the development of allergic diathesis is discussed.