Peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets in the follow-up of psoriasis patients under PUVA therapy.

Peripheral lymphocyte subsets were analyzed before and after treatment in 22 patients with psoriasis. All patients had PUVA therapy for at least 1 month. Eight of them were assessed after 1 and 2 months of therapy. Abnormal partitions of T-cell subsets were observed in 10 patients before treatment. Positive dermatological results were concomitant with a significant decrease of the CD8 subset. Variations of the Leu7+ subset were observed as well. These data support current theories on the effect of UV light on the immune system and provide a possible useful way to monitor psoriatic patients receiving PUVA therapy.