The role of lymphocyte subset analysis in defining the clinical evolution of multiple sclerosis.

Thirty patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) were examined monthly for one year. Each time, neurological examination, clinical history and monoclonal-antibody-defined T cell subsets were evaluated. Particularly, the helper/suppressor ratio (T4/T8) and the T4/T8 test-to-test variability (delta T4/T8) were considered in relation to the occurrence of clinical exacerbations. Statistically significant correlations were found between clinical course and laboratory parameters, suggesting a possible role of T cell subset analysis in defining the clinical evolution of MS.