Abstract
Several studies relate the hyper IgE observed in atopic patients to a decrease in the T suppressor cell population. We studied 27 atopic children, aged 2y7m to 14 years, with severe perennial bronchial asthma. Peripheral blood was obtained after 1 day without any bronchodilator medication and after 7 days without corticosteroids. IgG, IgM and IgA were determined by radial immunodiffusion and IgE by enzyme immunoassay Total T lymphocytes, T suppressor cells and T helper cells were determined using monoclonal antibodies (ORTHO, OKT3, OKT4, and OKT8). Lymphocyte cultures were stimulated with phytohemaglutinin (PHA) and the results expressed as s stimulation index. Our data, compared to our normal values showed: Normal IgG, low IgA, hyper IgM and hyper IgE (this is the usual pattern observed in our asthmatic population). The percentages of OKT3 OKT4 and OKT8, as well as the ratio OKT4/8 were within normal limts. The response of the peripheral lymphocytes to PHA was normal in the presence of autologous and homologous plasma. Based on these results, we concluded that there are no important imnunoligical changes in atopic asthmatic children and that there is no need for the use of immunodulating agents in the treatment of bronchial asthma in children.
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Solé, D., Sampaio, M., Hilário, M. et al. IMMUNOLOCICAL EVALUATION “IN VITRO” OF CHILDREN WITH SEVERE BRONCHIAL ASTHMA. Pediatr Res 22, 372 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198709000-00053
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198709000-00053