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Altered T Cell Subsets and Function in Polytransfused β‐Thalassemia Patients: Correlation with Sex and Age at First Transfusion
Author(s) -
Martino M.,
Rossi M. E.,
Muccioli A. T.,
Vullo C.,
Vierucci A.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1985.tb00185.x
Subject(s) - splenectomy , medicine , thalassemia , incidence (geometry) , immunology , antibody , lymphocyte subsets , monoclonal antibody , ferritin , disease , hepatitis , transfusion therapy , blood transfusion , gastroenterology , t cell , immune system , spleen , physics , optics
. Monoclonal antibodies (OKT series) have been used to investigate possible modifications of T lymphocytes and T lymphocyte subsets in 65 multiply transfused β‐thalassemia patients. No significant difference was observed in percentage and absolute number of OKT3‐, OKT4‐, and OKT8‐positive cells when compared to controls. A subgroup of patients (10 patients, 15.3%), however, could be selected who showed a reversal of OKT4/OKT8 ratio. These patients did not differ from the others as to age, number of transfusions, frequency of splenectomy, ferritin levels, hepatitis B markers, chronic liver disease incidence, and numbers of B lymphocytes and natural killer cells. The features distinguishing this group from the remaining patients were: (1) decreased mitogen responsiveness; (2) early age when first transfused; (3) high incidence of males (90%). Immunological investigation was done in 2 occasions, 1 year apart, but no significant modification was observed in these patients. These findings suggest that in β‐thalassemia patients transfusion therapy started very early in life may be responsible for persistent immunological modifications. The susceptibility to such modifications might be greater in males.