정신 분열증 환자에서의 임파구 아형

Lymphocyte Subsets in Schizophrenic Patients

Over the past few years, a number of studies have reported some evidence of abnormal immune reactivity in the schizophrenic patients. But no consistent agreements have been made to date. The authors examined the cellular immune status of 25 recently untreated or never-treated schizophrenic patients, comparing with normal healthy adults and hospitalized surgical patients. We measured numbers and ratio of T cell subsetsCincluding helper- T cells and suppressor-T-cells) as well as B cells and total lymphocyte counts in all groups. The results are as follows ; Compared with normal control group, the schizophrenic patients showed a smaller number of T lymphocytes. However, the percentages of T lymphocytes and the ratio of T cells (helper- T cells/suppressor-T cells) showed no significant statistical difference. The percentage and numbers of B lymphocytes showed no significant difference too. The total number of lymphocytes and T lymphocytes of the hospitalized surgical patients decreased comparing with the normal control group. The Th/Ts ratio, on the other hand, increased, and so did the B-lymphocyte percentage. W hen the schizophrenic patients were compared with the hospitalized surgical patients，no significant difference was found except the B-lymphocyte percentage. The schizophrenic patients showed a smaller percentage. With the present findings, it is difficult to ascertain whether this changes in lymphocyte count reflect alterations of immune system. To gain furthur information, function studies which includes mitogen-induced T proliferation tests should be done concurrently.