Reduced number of active T cells in cerebrospinal fluid in multiple sclerosis.

Using a modification of the active rosette test of Wybran and Fudenberg, we found that the percentages of active T cells were significantly lower in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients than in blood obtained simultaneously from these patients, or in the CSF or blood from patients with other neurologic diseases. These results suggest that in MS there may be a depression or deficiency of a functional subpopulation of T lymphocytes confined to the central nervous system.