Identification of lymphocytes in percutaneous liver biopsy cores. Different T:B cell ratio in HB sAg-positive and -negative hepatitis.

Abstract

The lymphocytes infiltrating the liver were isolated and characterized as T or B cells in three groups of patients: 20 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HB sAg)-positive acute and chronic hepatitis, 8 patients with HBsAg-negative chronic hepatitis with prior evidence for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and 5 patients with HBsAg-negative chronic hepatitis without prior evidence for HBV infection. The predominant cell infiltrating the liver was shown to be a T cell in all categories; however, the ratio of T:B cells was significantly lower (1.96) in the patients without evidence for HBV infection than in the patients who were HBsAg-positive at (7.86), or before (8.85) the time of study. The significantly (P less than 0.001) higher number of B cells in the patients with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology suggests that a different immunopathogenetic mechanism is operative in this group. A peripheral T lymphocytopenia was observed in patients with both antecedent and existent HBs-antigenemia, but not in the patients without evidence for HBV infection.

• Authors: D J Miller, J M Dwyer, G Klatskin
• Journal: Gastroenterology (Gastroenterology) Vol. 72 Issue 6 Pg. 1199-203 (Jun 1977) ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 323096 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Aged
• B-Lymphocytes
• Biopsy, Needle
• Chronic Disease
• Hepatitis (immunology, pathology)
• Hepatitis B (immunology, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunologic Techniques
• Leukocyte Count
• Liver (pathology)
• Middle Aged
• T-Lymphocytes