title: Studies on the behavior of lymphocytes in the direct lymphocytotoxicity test (DLT) in surgical patients: I. Diagnostic value of the test.
abstract: The results of the investigations of immunological reactivity in 120 surgical patients are presented. The direct lymphocytotoxicity test (DLT) was used. Negative results were found in only 20 patients; in the remaining 100, the number of damaged lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, examined in vitro was dependent on: 1) the type of surgical procedure (e.g. open reduction and internal fixation of long-bone fractures), 2) severity of surgical disease, 3) interaction of drugs used, and 4) infection, most probably viral. A high percentage of damaged lymphocytes was found firstly, in patients suffering from severe wound infections; secondly, in those with disorders of the peripheral arteries during the postoperative course and thirdly, in patients with advanced malignancy of the alimentary tract. The results of these investigations--regarded by the authors as a preliminary report--indicate that the DLT could be introduced routinely as part of pre- and postoperative examinations of surgical patients in order to evaluate their immunological reactivity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative