@article{15407,
  keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Erythema Nodosum, Female, Humans, leprosy, Male, Middle Aged, Mycobacterium leprae, T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory},
  author = {Wallach D and Cottenot F and Bach M A},
  title = {Imbalances in T cell subpopulations in lepromatous leprosy.},
  abstract = {<p>Circulating T cells, T helper, and T suppressor cells were investigated in 24 lepromatous patients, using murine hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibodies OKT 3, OKT 4, and OKT 8. Six bacillary lepromatous patients without recent eNL were studied; in this group, suppressor cells were increased and helper cells diminished, resulting in a decrease in the helper/suppressor (H/S) ratio. Nine bacteriologically negative lepromatous patients without recent ENL were studied. T cell subsets distribution was normal, although some T cell functions were affected. It was further shown that in non-ENL patients, the diminution of the H/S ratio is correlated with the Bacteriologic Index (BI). Although bacillary, ENL patients exhibit a completely different T cell pattern than non-reactional patients. In these patients, there was a significant diminution of circulating suppressor cells, and an increase in T cell functions. These abnormalities were transient. Our results confirm the importance of suppressor cells in lepromatous leprosy, and suggest that imbalance between helper and suppressor cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of ENL reactions.</p>
},
  year = {1982},
  journal = {International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association},
  volume = {50},
  pages = {282-90},
  month = {1982 Sep},
  issn = {0148-916X},
  url = {http://ila.ilsl.br/pdfs/v50n3a02.pdf},
  language = {eng},
}