Abnormalities of T-cell subsets in Behcet's syndrome

Abstract

T cells and T-cell subsets were determined in the peripheral blood of 12 patients with Behcet''s syndrome and 30 normal healthy control subjects. When compared with the control group, the mean percentage of T cells for the group with Behcet''s syndrome was significantly decreased (73% vs. 61%). The mean percentage of T.mu. (helper) cells for the group with Behcet''s syndrome (26%) was also significantly decreased from the mean value of the control group (42%). There was a concomitant significant increase of T.gamma. (suppressor) cells of the group with Behcet''s syndrome (19%) over the mean value of the control group (10%). There were alterations of T cells and T-cell subsets in this disease.