Evaluation of T and B lymphocytes in liver infiltrates of patients with chronic active hepatitis.

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Abstract
The proportions of T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocytes in the liver infiltrates of 23 patients with chronic active hepatitis were determined. The results were compared with the values obtained from peripheral blood and with the presence of HB [hepatitis B] virus markers and .alpha.-fetoprotein in liver tissue. A group of patients with chronic liver disease other than chronic active hepatitis were studied as controls. In chronic active hepatitis, the percentage of hepatic T cells was 49 .+-. 8 SD (control patients 61 .+-. 8) (P < 0.01); the percentage of B cells was 40 .+-. 10 (control patients 18 .+-. 8) (P < 0.01). No correlation was observed between hepatic T and B cells and the presence of HB virus. The numbers of T cells in liver tissue were significantly higher and the numbers of B cells were lower in patients whose biopsies were positive for .alpha.-fetoprotein than in those whose biopsies were negative. In peripheral blood, only the patients with chronic active hepatitis and established cirrhosis presented lower absolute values of T cells, whereas surface immunoglobulin-positive lymphocytes were within the normal range.