Activated lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers.

Proportions of T lymphocyte subsets and activated cells bearing receptors for transferrin, Il-2 and HLA-DR antigens were studied in 15 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and 10 subjects with negative markers of hepatitis B virus infection. T lymphocyte subsets ranged within normal values in HBsAg carriers whereas a significant increase in activated cells was noted (P less than 0.001). These data suggest that abberations of T cell subsets are not responsible for the failure of HBV clearance. Furthermore, the increased levels of activated lymphocytes support the view that other factors, possibly in the serum, are modulating the immune response to HBV thus playing an important role in the pathogenesis of the carrier state.