No significant differences were found between hyperplastic tonsillitis and recurrent tonsillitis in the intensity of cell-mediated immune response of tonsillar T cells, the ratio of T cell subsets, the ratio of Tac-positive cells, and the stimulation index determined after incubation in the presence of TCGF alone. However, the proportion of the cells in phase S+G2+M, the ratio of OKT9-positive cells to total tonsillar lymphocytes, and the amount of polyamines (especially putrescine) were greater in hypertrophied tonsils than in the tonsils with recurrent tonsillitis. Some characteristics of recurrent tonsillitis are discussed from these differences. Comparison of tonsillar lymphocytes from children vs. adults produced similar results. The proportion of cells in phase S+G2+M, the ratio of OKT9, and the amount of polyamines were greater in tonsils of children. In addition, differences in the function of tonsillar and peripheral lymphocytes from the patient are also discussed.