T helper cell dysregulation with hepatitis B and rebalance with glucocorticoids

AIM:To investigate T helper 17/regulatory T cell alterations in early severe hepatitis B and the effect of glucocorticoids.METHODS:The study included 20 patients in the early stage of severe hepatitis B(SHB)and 11 healthy controls.All patients had elevated T helper 17(Th17)levels,decreased regulatory T(Treg)cell levels,and significant Th17/Treg ratios.RESULTS:After glucocorticoid treatment,16 patients showed improvement with significant decreases in Th17 levels,increases in Treg,and rebalanced Th17/Treg ratios.The four patients who showed no improvement had increases in both Th17 and Treg levels andan even higher Th17/Treg ratio than before.CONCLUSION:Glucocorticoid treatment can rectify Th17/Treg dysregulation in patients with SHB.