[Cell mediated immunity in sarcoidosis patients].

In vitro tests, lymphocyte transformation tests, and leukocyte migration inhibition tests were carried out on nineteen patients with different stages of sarcoidosis. In all patients there was found a defect of cell-mediated immunity, which was most strongly pronounced in the remission phase of the disease. It is believed that the disturbance of cell-mediated immunity is a result of the disease. It is possible for such a disturbance to be intensified in the further course of disease. It appears that this disturbance may be compensated for by the system of B lymphocytes, through humoral antibodies, because clinical phenomena manifest in the patients and corresponding to the deficiency of immunity demonstrated in vitro could not be observed.