Modifications des sous-populations lymphocytaires circulantes induites par la méthylprednisolone intra-veineuse à dose massive

Abstract Lymphocyte subpopulations from 4 subjects with different immunological diseases were studied by flow cytometry before and after high dose intravenous methylprednisolone. The long-recognized lymphopenia was confirmed for CD4(+) cells, but also affected CD 19(+) cells at the same degree. We found a paradoxical increase for activated T-cells and CD16(+) cells. Return to prepulse level was always complete by 24 hours.