B and T lymphocytes in cerebrospinal fluid and blood in multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis and mumps meningitis.

B and T cells were defined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of 18 multiple sclerosis (MS), five optic neuritis, and 17 mumps meningitis patients by counting immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes for B cells, and the capacity of rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes of T-cell determination. Patients with MS and mumps meningitis had significantly higher T-cell values in CSF compared to blood, while the B cell value was significantly lower in CSF in mumps meningitis only. MS patients also displayed significantly lower B-cell values in blood compared to mumps meningitis patients and blood donors. No significant differences were observed between MS patients in exacerbation and in remission.