Transient impairment of peripheral blood lymphocyte function during PUVA therapy

Abstract

Three parameters of immune function.sbd.enumeration of circulating T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocytes and response of lymphocytes to graduated doses of phytohemagglutinin (PHA).sbd.were examined serially in 11 patients with psoriasis before, during and after an intensive course of PUVA [psoralen plus long wave UV] therapy. A trend was detected for the lymphocyte response to PHA to fall during the 1st wk of treatment and then rise back towards the pre-treatment level. No alteration was found in percentage or absolute numbers of circulating T and B lymphocytes. Routine PUVA therapy can induce an alteration in immune function, but this alteration is slight and short-lived.