evaluation of t lymphocyte subsets in children with beta thalassemia major

peripheral blood t lymphocytes and their subsets were studied in 31 patients with beta thalassemia major (age 2-12years) and compared with 14 age-arid sex-matched healthy controls. three monoclonal antibodies (anti-cd3, anti cd-f, unti-cds) were simultaneously applied for detection of th (cd3-, cd4^), tsk (cd3+, cd8+) and th/ts ratio by flow-cytometry respectively. the results of this study showed a slight increase in the number of tlymphocytes, t 004^, tcds+, and cd4'*/cds* ratio; but this increase was not statistically significant (p>0.05). no primary defect in tcell subsets was detected and it was suggested that continuous regulation of iron balance is an important factor in decreasing immunological disturbance.