Lymphocytes bearing complement receptors, surface immunoglobulins and sheep erythrocyte receptors in primary immunodeficiency diseases.

Nine patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases were studied for the presence of lymphocytes bearing surface immunoglobulins, complement receptors, and sheep erythrocyte receptors. All were found to have a normal or increased percentage of lymphocytes bearing complement receptors, often despite a deficiency of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes. The results suggest that these patients have a deficiency of surface immunoglobulin synthesis but are not deficient in B lymphocytes. Unsensitized sheep erythrocyte (E) binding (T) lymphocytes were normal or decreased; the sum of E-binding (T) plus complement receptor-bearing (B) lymphocytes was generally within the normal range. One exception was a patient with combined system immunodeficiency who had a decreased total of T plus B lymphocytes.