[Chronic persistent HBsAG positive hepatitis in children. I. Subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes].

T and B peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied in five children affected by chronic persistent hepatitis HBsAg-positive. The percentage of E rosette forming cells was found decreased while thymidine uptake after Phytohaemagglutinin stimulation reached values higher than that of normal controls. Null cells were found increased. In all the patients the percentage of IgG bearing lymphocytes was markedly decreased. Such alterations of T cells compartement are similar to those found by other authors in the aggressive form. The hypothesis of a derangement of T cell subpopulation regulatory activity is put forward.