Immunohistochemical characterization of T-lymphocytes subsets in Egyptian hepatic schistosomiasis.

Liver biopsies from 20 schistosomal patients in the compensated stage were studied by immunoalkaline phosphatase technique for the relative distribution of T-cell subpopulations. T-cell subsets were defined for OKT3 (+) (pan T-lymphocytes), OKT4 (+) (helper-inducer), and OKT8 (+) (suppressor-cytotoxic) cell by using mouse hybridoma monoclonal antibodies. Sections showed marked pan T-lymphocytic infiltration predominantly in the portal tract within liver lobules and in the granulomatous lesions. Marked relative increment of suppressor/cytotoxic OKT8 (+) lymphocytes over the helper/inducer OKT4 (+) were observed. Alkaline phosphatase activity showed inverse significant correlation with OKT3 (+) and OKT8 (+) % and a direct significant correlation with OKT4 (+) % lymphocytes. This may suggest that suppressor cytotoxic OKT8 lymphocytes may be responsible for the modulation of the granulomata and stabilization of the morbidity state.