[Activated circulating lymphocytes as a parameter for clinical activity in patients with Crohn disease].

Patients with Crohn's disease exhibit peripheral lymphocytes during exacerbation which express activation associated epitopes on their cell surface. We have therefore enumerated circulating lymphocytes in 36 patients with Crohn's disease by immunofluorescent staining using monoclonal antibodies directed against activation associated antigens (CD 25, CD 71, CD 38 and MHC-class II-antigens, respectively). We found a highly significant correlation between the percentage of activated lymphocytes and the clinical activity. Thus in our experience measuring of activated peripheral lymphocytes proved as a valuable parameter in assessing the clinical activity of Crohn's disease for a well-timed medication.