Study of helper and suppressor T-cells in cystic fibrosis.

The ratio between inducer and cytotoxic/suppressor subset T-cells was studied in 11 cystic fibrosis patients and 11 non-cystic fibrosis controls. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. It is suggested that the major immune deficiency in some patients suffering from cystic fibrosis is a state of tolerance to the same bacterial antigens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Inhibitory factors are present in the serum of the most affected patients.