Lymphocyte subset T4/T8 ratio in systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with disease activity, laboratory abnormalities and treatment.

Lymphocyte subsets were studied in forty-nine patients with SLE using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. A decrease in T4+ reactive cells (helper/inducer) was the most frequent observation. Decreased T4/T8 ratios were seen in patients with increasing clinically active disease, patients with positive anti-DS-DNA, positive anti-RNP antibodies and patients with low CH50 activity. However, low T4/T8 ratios were seen in patients with negative anti-Sm. Low T4/T8 ratios were also observed in patients taking prednisone at more than 10 mg/day and in patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs.