[Proportions and absolute count of T- and B-lymphocytes in peripheral blood and their blastic transformation induced by mitogens in splenectomized and non-splenectomized patients with Hodgkin's disease].

Investigations were carried out on the effects of splenectomy on the immune state of patients with Hodgkin's disease during remission. In similarly treated non-splenectomized and splenectomized patients the proportions and absolute count of T and B lymphocytes were determined in peripheral blood. For identification of T cells the rosette test E was applied. B cells were identified by the method of EAC rosette test and by determination of immunoglobulins on their surface. For functional assessment of lymphocytes their blastic transformation was determined after stimulation with PHA, Con A and PWM. It was found that the proportions and counts of T and B lymphocytes in preripheral blood were not different in both groups. The values of blastic index in the cultures of lymphocytes stimulated with mitogens were higher, on the other hand, in non-splenectomized patients in relation to splenectomized ones. In the light of these investigations it is suggested that splenectomy in patients with Hodgkin's disease caused functional disturbances of lymphocytes. Further investigations are indispensable for establishing whether lymphocyte function impairment manifests itself with clinically detectable disorders of immune processes.