T-lymphocyte subsets characterization in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis using monoclonal antibodies

ABSTRACT

Immunohistochemical technique using monoclonal antibodies was applied on the liver tissues of 20 adult Egyptian male patients with compensated hepatosplenic schistosomiasis to characterize the relative distribution of T-lymphocytes subpopulations. Sections showed marked pan T-lymphocytic infiltration [OKT3] with marked relative increment of suppressor/cytotoxic [OKT8] cells over helper/inducer [OKT4] cells. Also, alkaline phosphatase activity showed inverse significant correlation with suppressor/cytotoxic [OKT8] and pan lymphocyte [OKT3] cells. This suggested that suppressor/cytotoxic [OKT8] cells play an important role in modulation of the granuloma with subsequent stabilization of liver condition