T-cell subsets in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of patients with multiple sclerosis.

The absolute numbers and ratios of helper/inducer (T4) and cytotoxic/suppressor (T8) T-cells were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and various other neurologic diseases (OND). In patients with MS, the T4:T8 ratio was higher in both blood and CSF, and the increase was significantly greater in CSF than in blood. These findings were due to an increased proportion of T4-lymphocytes in the CSF and to a decreased proportion of T8-cells in blood. These results indicate the need for additional studies of CSF lymphocytes in patients with MS.