RESUMO
In patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, B and T-lymphocytes subpopulations [CD3[+], CD4[+] and CDB[+] were estimated. In cases and with different clinical forms diagnosis was made by stained smears, culture on Schneider's medium with 25% foetal calf serum. The results revealed that CD4[+] were significantly increased in early infection [less than 6 weeks]. No significant changes were found in single lesion in contrast with multiple lesions [more than 6 weeks] where CD4[+] significantly decreased than controls. CD8[+] were increased with the both the number and duration of the lesions. Follow up of cases till spontaneous clinical and parasitological cure showed no significant difference in comparison to controls. It was concluded that T-lymphocyte subpopulations through their cytokine mediators may play an important role in the mechanism of healing in cutaneous leishmaniasis