T cells and T cell subsets in rheumatic heart disease
Ganguly, N.K.; Anand, I.S.; Khanna, A.K.; Kohli, R.S.; Wahi, P.L.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 76: 854-858
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 6984844 Document Number: 184645
T cells and T cell subsets (T.gamma. and T.mu.) were monitored in the peripheral blood of 22 patients with active rheumatic heart disease (ARA), 25 patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD) and 25 age and sex matched controls. Total T cells were decreased in ARA and CRHD but more so in ARA. T.mu. (helper) cells were low in ARA but normal in CRHD, while T.gamma. (suppressor and cytotoxic) cells were increased in patients with ARA but were normal in CRHD. Monitoring of T cell subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatic heart disease may give new insight into its pathogenesis.