The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune system and lymphocyte function in 41 Iranian β-thalassemic patients and 50 controls, ages ranging from 2 to 18 years. The patients consisted of 20 splenectomized and 21 non-splenectomized patients. They were treated with Desferal, and had received repeated blood transfusion. Laboratory investigations included measurement of total T lymphocytes, active T lymphocytes, B-Iymphocytes and function of lymphocytes treated with PHA. In this study we observed a significant reduction of active T lymphocytes and total T lymphocytes in the patient group compared to controls (p<0.005 & p<0.001), but there was no significant difference between splenectomized and non-splenectomized patients. Also in both groups, lymphocyte function was reduced against PHA (phytohemagglutinin) compared with the controls, and the numbers of B cells were increased. These results lead to the conclusion that the deficient immune system in β-thalassemia causes infectious diseases, which finally leads to death. Therefore, stimulation of the immune system as well as clinical treatment may prevent infectious disease in patients with β- thalassemia.

Keywords: Thalassemic patient, Immune system, Cytomegalovirus, Blood transfusion.

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