ABSTRACT
This study aims to assess number and function of T lymphocytes in children with chronic hepatitis persistent C. The study included 60 children with chronic hepatitis C. Among this group 30 were treated with interferon-alpha (INF-alpha) during 6 months. Forty healthy children were included in the study as the control group. We examined subsets of blood lymphocytes T (CD3, CD4, CD8) and lymphocytes with expression of CD3/HLADR, CD3/CD25 antigens using monoclonal antibodies IMK plus and flow cytometry, at the beginning and after 6 months. After INF-alpha therapy a significant increase in subset of CD4 lymphocytes, significant decrease in CD8, increase in CD4/CD8 ratio and increase in lymphocytes with expression CD3/HLADR, CD3/CD25 receptors were observed. Differences in CD8 lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratio in the treated children were statistical higher in children with elimination HCV RNA. Applying INF-alpha in children with chronic hepatitis C stimulated immunological response by increasing subsets of CD4 lymphocytes, CD4/CD8 ratio and stimulated lymphocytes.
