Correlation between helper/suppressor ratio and IgA levels in the peripheral blood from patients with liver diseases.

The correlation between serum immunoglobulin levels and "helper/suppressor" (T4/T8) ratio has been investigated in 45 patients with biopsy proven liver diseases (22 with ALD, 16 with CAH and 7 with VHR). In the ALD and CAH groups the T4/T8 ratio was significantly higher than in normal controls and a strong correlation was noticed with IgA, but not IgG and IgM levels. The same correlation was found in the VHR group as well, even if the mean value for the T4/T8 ratio in these patients was not significantly above that of normal controls. The pathogenetic significance of these findings is discussed.