[Hodgkin's disease: effect of spenectomy on the immune status (author's transl)].

In 22 untreated Hodgkin's patients the following parameters were studied before and after splenectomy: the total WBC, lymphocytes, B- and T-cells and mitogenic stimulation of peripheral lymphocytes using autologous and control serum. The results were correlated to patient groups with favourable and unfavourable prognosis according to pathological stage, histology, spleen involvement and constitutional symptoms. 1. All Patients. Significant increase of the absolute number of peripheral lymphocytes and B-cells. Significant increase of the spontanous DNA synthesis in the presence of AB-control serum, but no change after mitogenic stimulation of peripheral lymphocytes. No change in the number of peripheral T-cells. 2. Patients with Favourable Prognosis. Significant increase of the absolute number of peripheral lymphocytes and B-cells. Significant increase of the spontanous DNA synthesis in the presence of AB-control-serum. Significant decrease of the T-cell function (PHA- and Con-A-stimulation in the presence of autologous serum). Significant decrease of the PHA-, Con-A- and PWM stimulation rate using control serum in the lymphocytic predominance and nodular sclerosis group. No change in the number of peripheral T-cells. 3. Patients with Unfavourable Prognosis. No change in the absolute number of B-cells, of the spontanous DNA-synthesis using autologous serum and of the PHA- and Con-A-stimulation. Significant increase of the EBV-induced blastogenesis in the mixed cellularity and lymphocytic depletion group.