Lymphocyte subpopulations of atopic children and the effect of therapy upon them.

Recent reports note decreased T cell function in association with certain atopic conditions in man. This study was performed to determine whether numbers of circulating T cells are decreased in atopic children and adolescents in comparison with nonatopic age-matched control subjects. The subjects were not selected on the basis of a particular atopic diagnosis, but relatively more had allergic rhinitis and/or asthma (52) than had atopic eczema (7). Numbers of circulating T cells were not found to be significantly different in allergic children aged 2 to 10 yr than in control subjects. Atopic children and adolescents over age 10 yr had significantly fewer T cells in relative percentages (p less than 0.05), but when absolute numbers were considered significance was lost. Atopic children aged 2 to 10 years had significantly more B cells in both relative percentages and absolute numbers than did control subjects (p less than 0.02 and p less than 0.05, respectively). When those subjects treated with corticosteroids were separated from the total atopic group, there were no significant differences between the atopic and control subjects. The effects of corticosteroids, bronchodilators, antihistamines, and immunotherapy were considered and could be shown to produce no consistent effect on lymphocyte subpopulations.