Study of T-lymphocyte subpopulation in HBsAg-positive pregnant women

Pregnancy can alter the immunologic status, especially it can suppress the cell-mediated immunity. The super-imposition of viral infection on the pregnant state leading to further immunosuppression was the subject of this study. 1109 pregnant women were enrolled and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier status; 25 HBsAg carriers were identified by reverse passive haemagglutination assay (RPHA) and their T-lymphocyte subsets were determined using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). It was observed that there was a significant fall in the total T-cells (CD3+) and T-helper cells (CD4+) in the pregnant HBsAg carriers accompanied by a rise in the T-suppressor cell (CD8+) population as compared to HBsAg-negative pregnant controls. These data demonstrate a weakening of immune status in pregnancy associated with HBsAg carrier state.