T lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood of patients with Alopecia areata

Twenty patients [15 males and 5 females] suffering from alopecia areata in different sites were examined and counts of total T-cell, T- helper and T-suppressor cells were determined by using monoclonal antibodies [OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8, respectively]. Results showed that there is a decrease of total T-cell in alopecia areata patients as compared with control subjects which was explained by several factors one of which is suppressed cell mediated immunity. The count of T-helper cells was nonsignificant, while T-suppressor cell count was significant lower than control subjects and T-helper/T- suppressor ratio was significantly increased supporting the hypothesis of autoimmune etiology