Circulating B and T lymphocytes in chronic active liver disease.

The number of circulating total lymphocytes and the number of B and T lymphocytes from the blood were estimated in 22 patients with biopsy-verified chronic active liver disease. The total number of lymphocytes and the number of rosette-forming cells (T lymphocytes) were decreased in patients with liver disease. The number of IgG,- IgA- and IgM-bearing lymhocytes (B cells) did not change significantly while the number of null cells increased in patients vs. a control group.