[The importance of active rosette-forming cells and specific antigen-binding cells in the diagnosis of rejection after allogeneic orthotopic kidney transplantation].

After allogeneic renal transplantation in 26 female pigs the kinetics of the immunological reactivity against the graft have been investigated with a specific test, the antigen specific rosette test and an unspecific test, the active E-rosette test. In acute and chronic rejection the level of antigen specific rosette forming cells reflects very well the clinical signs of rejection. Because of early occurrence of immunological reactivity in the case of frequent (daily) testing this test is suitable for a relative sure prediction of rejection episodes. In spite of their relative good correlations to the increase of serum creatinine, posttransplant increase and decrease of active rosette forming cells are not always in an uniform temporal relation to the rejection process. For that reason this test alone is not suitable for diagnosis of rejection. However, high preoperative values (greater than or equal to 18% active T cells) refer to an increased readiness to immunological reactivity of recipient against the graft and reflect contraindication to transplantation. If active rosette forming cells (greater than or equal to 18%) and antigen specific rosette forming cells show maxima at the same time, than follow in high significance strong cell mediated rejections. On this way the active E-rosette test completes the values of the antigen specific rosette test.