Immunocytological detection of T-lymphocyte subpopulation in schistosomiasis mansoni patients.

Pan T-lymphocytes, T4 (helper cells), T8 (suppressor cells) and T4/T8 ratio were studied in 51 bilharzial patients as well as 30 healthy controls using monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence technique. There was no significant alteration in cell mediated immunity in early non complicated schistosomal infection with the advance of the disease and the development of granuloma cell mediated immunity was markedly decreased as evidenced by significant reduction in pan T-lymphocytes, T4 (helper) cells as well as T4/T8 ratio in hepatosplenic group in comparison to healthy controls. Splenomegaly in such cases may play an addtiinoa lrole in the immunosuppression.