Lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of children with coeliac disease.

Circulating lymphocytes were enumerated in 28 children with coeliac disease and in 13 healthy controls by immunofluorescent staining using monoclonal antibodies for T surface phenotypic markers and polyvalent antisera for surface immunoglobulins (B cells). Proportion of peripheral T and B cells and the ratio of helper and suppressor T cells were not significantly different in coeliac children from those in controls. Authors conclude on the basis of the results that a significant impairment of circulating pool of lymphocytes in coeliac disease is improbable.