B and T lymphocytes in viral hepatitis.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated in 20 patients with acute viral hepatitis. For assessment of B lymphocytes the rosette test was carried out using sheep erythrocytes coated with antibodies and murine complement. T lymphocytes were recognized by their ability of binding uncoated sheep erythrocytes. In 16 cases the results of EAC test in patients with viral hepatitis resembled those in healthy donors. In 3 cases a significant decrease was observed and in one case a significant rise was found in the number of cells forming EAC rosettes. The T lymphocyte count was within normal range in 19 investigated cases. The results suggest that impaired T lymphocyte reactivity to PHA in acute viral hepatitis is due to a disturbed function of T lymphocytes and not to a decrease in their number. In cases associated with significant hepatocellular damage a reduction in the number of circulating B lymphocytes was observed.