title: Influence of SRBC/lymphocyte ratio on T-cell rosettes in alcoholic liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: Thymus-derived (T) rosette-forming cells were enumerated in patients with alcoholic liver disease and in patients with inflammatory bowel disease using variable sheep red blood cell (SRBC)/lymphocyte ratios. SRBC/lymphocyte ratios of 60:1 and 32:1 did not reveal significant differences from controls in Crohn's disease. The percentage, but not absolute count, of T cells was significantly reduced in alcoholic hepatitis at the 60:1 ratio. Both the percentage and absolute count of T cells were reduced in alcoholic hepatitis and Crohn's disease with the 8:1 ratio. No significant reduction in T cells was seen at any ratio in patients with compensated alcoholic cirrhosis or ulcerative colitis. Use of a SRBC/lymphocyte ratio of 8:1 indentifies T cells which demonstrate an avidity for SRBC. This avidity may be related to the density of SRBC receptors on the surface of T cells and/or the affinity of these receptor sites for SRBC. Use of the 8:1 ratio may provide a more sensitive means by which to monitor changes in T-cell rosettes in patients suspected of having an altered cellular immune state.
mesh_terms: D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*