[Immunologic studies in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis].

To compare patients with Crohn's disease and patients with ulcerative colitis we have studied some immunological parameters (level of IgM, IgG and IgA in the serum, number of lymphocytes, E rosettes) and the immunological reactivity to antigens from colon carcinoma and to colon antigens prepared from healthy and from colon tissue altered by Crohn's disease (antigen specific rosette test, MEM-test, antibody titer). The results indicate a decreased proportion of T cells in both bowel diseases on the one hand, on the other hand a specific cell-meditated immune reaction to colon antigens could be observed in patients with Crohn's disease. In patients with ulcerative colitis such reactions are determined only in the acute phase of disease or in recidive. It remains to be elucidated whether these immunological reactions represent a basic pathogenetic factor in the onset of these diseases.