Altered distribution of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in children and adolescents with haemophilia

Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of unknown aetiology characterised by opportunistic infections, unusual malignancies, and aberrations in cellular immunity; lymphopenia and reversal of helper/suppressor T-cell ratios are the most common. In this study the immune function in 25 children and adolescents with haemophilia was assessed. Normal humoral immunity was observed in all patients evaluated. T and B cell numbers and stimulation were within normal limits. However, 5 of the patients had reversed helper/suppressor T-cell ratios similar to, but less pronounced than, the reversed ratio observed in patients with clinical signs of AIDS. These results suggest that patients with haemophilia may be at increased risk of AIDS and that regular investigation of cellular immunity is warranted in these patients.