Lymphocyte subpopulations, serum IgE and total eosinophil counts in patients with bronchial asthma.

Absolute T and B lymphocytes, total eosinophil counts (TEC), and serum IgE levels were studied in twenty-three asthmatic subjects. Compared to a mean peripheral T-lymphocyte count of 1620+/-486/mm3 in twenty control subjects, the mean value in the asthmatic patients was depressed significantly at 1192+/-4 12 (P less than 0-005). T lymphopenia was observed in ten of twenty-three patients (43%). The serum IgE was elevated above the upper limits of 507 mug/ml in six of seventeen patients. TEC above 250/mm3 was observed in twelve of seventeen subjects. T lymphopenia and hyper-immunoglobulinaemia E were each associated with hypereosinophilia. No correlation was observed between T lymphopenia and hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E.