EVALUATION OF T LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN CHILDREN WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR

Abstract

Peripheral blood T lymphocytes and their subsets were studied in 31 patients with beta thalassemia major (age 2-12years) and compared with 14 age-arid sex-matched healthy controls. Three monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD3, anti CD-f, unti-CDS) were simultaneously applied for detection of Th (CD3-, CD4^), Tsk (CD3+, CD8+) and Th/Ts ratio by flow-cytometry respectively. The results of this study showed a slight increase in the number of Tlymphocytes, T 004^, TCDS+, and CD4'*/CDS* ratio; but this increase was not statistically significant (P>0.05). No primary defect in Tcell subsets was detected and it was suggested that continuous regulation of iron balance is an important factor in decreasing immunological disturbance.