The role of T and B lymphocytes in the human immune response has been studied in allergic and asthmatic patients by many investigators. Theories of suppressed cellular immunity have been reported showing decreased levels of T cells in peripheral blood. Elevated levels of IgE, an antibody, have been reported in these conditions, but not shown to be significant in distinguishing the different types of asthma. A double blind study of 19 allergic and 42 asthmatic individuals was conducted measuring T and B cell levels and IgE levels. The asthmatic group was subdivided into three types, intrinsic, extrinsic and mixed. The possible effects of corticosteroids were considered with each group since 47 out of the total 60 patients studied were steroid dependent. T and B cells were enumerated by rosette method. This method was developed and normal values established. IgE levels measured by radioimmunoassay. Results showed all steroid dependent patients, allergic and asthmatic, had normal or slightly elevated T and/or B cell levels and IgE levels. The corticosteroids appeared to have a simulative effects rather than a suppressive effect on T and B cells and IgE as previous investigators have reported. Allergic or asthmatic conditions cannot be distinguished on the basis of T and B cell levels. IgE levels were found to be highly significant at a 95% confidence level in distinguishing intrinsic asthma from extrinsic asthma.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:rtd-1270 |
| Date | 01 October 1978 |
| Creators | Barnwell, Cleora W. |
| Publisher | Florida Technological University |
| Source Sets | University of Central Florida |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Retrospective Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | Public Domain |
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