Cell-mediated hypersensitvity in glomerulonephritis.

Proportions and total numbers of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes as well as their activity measured in the leukocyte migration inhibition test were estimated in 47 patients with acute or chronic glomerulonephritis and in 30 individuals serving as a control group. The obtained results indicated that glomerulonephritis was associated with altered proportions of peripheral blood lymphocytes. In acute glomerulonephritis high B lymphocyte levels were found while chronic proliferative glomerulonephritis was characterized by high proportions and high absolute levels of T lymphocytes. Few months observation of T: B lymphocyte proportions during the disease indicated that exacerbation of the disease was associated with lowered proportions of T lymphocytes. Moreover, it was shown that cell mediated hypersensitivity to GBM antigens was detectable in 80% patients with glomerulonephritis and was absent from patients with pyelonephritis. The latter results indicate participation of cell-mediated hypersensitivity in pathomechanisms of glomerulonephritis in most of the patients.