Studies on T cell subsets in chronic urticaria by monoclonal antibodies.

Peripheral blood T lymphocytes and T cell subsets were explored in 25 patients with chronic urticaria and 25 healthy controls. Thirteen of the patients had lymphocytic or leukocytoclasic vasculitis. An abnormal distribution between helper and suppressor T cell subsets with decreased percentage of helper (OKT4) T cells was found as compared to controls.