Lymphocyte studies in a patient with neurological complications of Behçet's syndrome. 1982

R Mallya, and P Pitt, and M Solberg-Scott, and H Berry

We rapport here a case of Behcet's disease presenting with neurological complications who made a remarkable recovery to high dose steroids and azathioprine. Prior to initiation of steroid therapy the percentage of T lymphocytes (OKT3) was low, that of helper T lymphocytes (OKT4) was normal and suppressor T lymphocytes (OKT8) was slightly increased. The OKT4: OKT8 ratio was slightly reduced and the percentage of B lymphocytes was high. With steroid therapy there was an increase in the percentage of OKT3 and fall in the percentages of OKT4 and OKT8 and the OKT4: OKT8 ratio was maintained fairly normal. The percentage of B lymphocytes was reduced. On addition of azathioprine the percentage of OKT3 and OKT8 were substantially increased and the percentage of OKT4 was slightly increased. The net result was a significant reduction in the OKT4: OKT8 ratio. The percentage of B lymphocytes remained normal. On reviewing the absolute counts there was a paradoxical rise in OKT4 and OKT8 a week after high dose steroid therapy due to a substantial rise in the total number of lymphocytes. On reducing the dose of steroids the absolute count of OKT4 and OKT8 decreased in parallel with their percentages. A disparity was noted in the percentage of OKT3 and the sum of the percentages of OKT4 and OKT8, prior to commencement of therapy which was significantly reduced after treatment. It is likely that this disparity is due to the presence of doubly labelled cells (cortical thymocytes) released into circulation prematurely.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008214 Lymphocytes White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS. Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D008775 Methylprednisolone A PREDNISOLONE derivative with similar anti-inflammatory action. 6-Methylprednisolone,Medrol,Metipred,Urbason,6 Methylprednisolone
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010554 Personality Disorders A major deviation from normal patterns of behavior. Avoidant Personality Disorder,Impulse-Ridden Personality,Inadequate Personality,Avoidant Personality Disorders,Impulse Ridden Personality,Personality Disorder,Personality Disorder, Avoidant,Personality Disorders, Avoidant,Personality, Impulse-Ridden,Personality, Inadequate
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001379 Azathioprine An immunosuppressive agent used in combination with cyclophosphamide and hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), this substance has been listed as a known carcinogen. (Merck Index, 11th ed) Azathioprine Sodium,Azathioprine Sodium Salt,Azathioprine Sulfate,Azothioprine,Immuran,Imuran,Imurel,Sodium, Azathioprine
D001402 B-Lymphocytes Lymphoid cells concerned with humoral immunity. They are short-lived cells resembling bursa-derived lymphocytes of birds in their production of immunoglobulin upon appropriate stimulation. B-Cells, Lymphocyte,B-Lymphocyte,Bursa-Dependent Lymphocytes,B Cells, Lymphocyte,B Lymphocyte,B Lymphocytes,B-Cell, Lymphocyte,Bursa Dependent Lymphocytes,Bursa-Dependent Lymphocyte,Lymphocyte B-Cell,Lymphocyte B-Cells,Lymphocyte, Bursa-Dependent,Lymphocytes, Bursa-Dependent
D001528 Behcet Syndrome Rare chronic inflammatory disease involving the small blood vessels. It is of unknown etiology and characterized by mucocutaneous ulceration in the mouth and genital region and uveitis with hypopyon. The neuro-ocular form may cause blindness and death. SYNOVITIS; THROMBOPHLEBITIS; gastrointestinal ulcerations; RETINAL VASCULITIS; and OPTIC ATROPHY may occur as well. Behcet Disease,Behcet's Disease,Behcet's Syndrome,Triple-Symptom Complex,Adamantiades-Behcet Disease,Behcet Triple Symptom Complex,Behçet Disease,Old Silk Route Disease,Triple Symptom Complex,Adamantiades Behcet Disease,Adamantiades-Behcet Diseases,Behçet Diseases,Symptom Complex, Triple,Triple Symptom Complices
D013601 T-Lymphocytes Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen. T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte

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