title: Some aspects of cellular and humoral immunity in bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.
abstract: Blood lymphocyte subpopulations were investigated in 50 patients with allergic diseases (38 with allergic rhinitis and 12 with allergic bronchial asthma). The total T lymphocyte (Tt) count (E rosette test), the active T lymphocyte (Ta) count (active E rosette test) and the B lymphocyte count (EAC rosette test) were determined and the results were correlated with: 1) lymphocyte sensitization in vitro to different allergens and to PPD; 2) circulating immune complexes; 3) serum histaminopexic capacity. In allergic rhinites a decrease of Tt and B lymphocytes and an increase of Ta lymphocytes was observed. In allergic bronchial asthma the Tt lymphocyte were found reduced. Lymphocyte reactivity to PPD in vitro was present in 100% of the cases and in vitro lymphocyte sensitivity to several allergens was observed in most of the cases. The histaminopexic capacity was absent or low in 75% of the patients with allergic rhinitis and in 66.6% of the patients with allergic bronchial asthma. The involvement of cellular mediated immunity in allergic diseases is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology*; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors