Abstract
AIM: To study the transformation of T lymphocyte subsets in children with Heliobacter pylori (H pylori) infection. METHODS: The H pylori infection status were determined by a combination of ELISA and Western blot (immunoblot) technique in 98 children and T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometrical analysis. RESULTS: There were 75 children positive with H pylori infection and 23 negative in 98 children. Comparing the proportion of peripheral blood T lymphocytic subsets in children with H pylori infection and without H pylori infection, it was found that a higher proportion of CD4 T-cells in infected children (39.02+/-7.71 vs 34.25+/-10.73, t = 2.246,P<0.05) and higher value of CD4 to CD8 T-cells ratio (1.51+/-0.52 vs 1.25, t = 2.104, P<0.05) were present, but there were not significant differences in CD3 T-cells and CD8 T-cells (73.11+/-10.02 vs 69.49+/-17.08, 27.22+/-6.07 vs 28.27+/-8.67, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Th1 cell-mediated immune responses may be induced by H pylori infection in children.