Suppressor and helper cell populations were studied in patients with various immunodeficiency diseases (most of them were AT patients) by using theophylline modulation of E-rosette formation in order to detect regulatory T cell abnormalities.

The mean E-RFC and Tres cell counts were found to be low in patients with AT while other parameters did not show any significant differences when compared with the controls. However, some patients also showed deviations from the normal range in other parameters. Evaluation of AT patients according to serum IgA levels disclosed higher theophylline inhibition, lower Tres cells and a low Tres/Tsen ratio in the group with normal IgA levels while these parameters were within normal limits in the group with decreased IgA. In line with previous studies, we found no consistency in the abnormalities of subpopulation distribution in any of the other forms of immunodeficiency.

Keywords: primary immune deficiency, T lymphocyte subpopulation