A FLOW-CYTOMETRIC STUDY OF CD4-AREATA( AND CD19+ CELL LYMPHOPENIA IN PATIENTS WITH ALOPECIA)

Twenty five patients with alopecia areata and 20 healthy controls were studied by flowcytometry employing direct two colour immunofluorescen ce in erythrocyte lysed whole blood. A significant reduction was obser ved in helper/inducer (CD4+) lymphocytes (29.4+/-7.4 vs 39.45+/-8.0, P < 0.01) and B (CD 19+) lymphocytes (11.04+/-6.57 vs 15.0+/-5.05, P < 0.01) in comparison with healthy controls. Decrease in T-lymphocytes ( CD3+) and suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+) was not significant and activate d (HLADR+) lymphocytes and natural killer cells (CD16+ and CD56+) were within normal limits. Our findings suggest a significant T helper (CD 4+) and B (CD19+) cell lymphopenia in alopecia areata.