Decreased levels of T-cells and cells with suppressor T-cell phenotype as defined by specific monoclonal antibodies in patients with atopic dermatitis

peripheral blood cells from forty patients with atopic dermatitis and elevated serum IgE levels were studied by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies OKT3, OKT4, OKT8 to, respectively, human T cells, helper-inducer and suppressor-cytotoxic T cell subsets. Decreased T cells with the suppressor-cytotoxic phenotype, with an abnormal balance between helper and suppressor cell subsets, and decreased peripheral blood T cells counts were found as compared to controls. Results were similar in the three age-matches group (4 months–2 years, 2–15 years, 15–50 years) studied. No correlation could be established between serum IgE levels and the elevated helper/suppressor cell ratios.