Quantitative study of T and B lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease.
Peripheral  blood lymphocytes forming E rosettes in the presence of sheep red blood cells and those bearing surface immunoglobulins (SIg) have been studied quantitatively as an evaluation of T and B lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease. 62 patients were investigated, 21 of whom before any treatment. It appears that the lymphocytes forming E rosettes are significantly lower in percentage in 86% of the patients and in absolute count in 65%. SIg bearing lymphocytes are elevated in percentile in 61% of the cases, but the absolute count is normal in 50% of the patients and elevated in 30% only. At diagnosis the T/B lymphocytes equilibrium is modified in 13 among 21 patients but, after the initial treatment of the disease, the ratio is modified in 90% of the patients in complete remission and remains unchanged for years even in the absence of relapse or immnunosuppressive treatment. It is suggested that SIg + lymphocytes from the peripheral blood are actually B lymphocytes and not anti-T-antibody coated T lymphocytes or antigen-antibody lacking of membrane markers, which are numerous in one third of the investigated patients, might be T lymphocytes with qualitative abnormality.
D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000941:Antigens; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D014747:Vinblastine