Some aspects of cellular and humoral immunity in bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Blood lymphocyte subpopulations were investigated in 50 patients with allergic diseases (38 with allergic rhinitis and 12 with allergic bronchial asthma). The total T lymphocyte (Tt) count (E rosette test), the active T lymphocyte (Ta) count (active E rosette test) and the B lymphocyte count (EAC rosette test) were determined and the results were correlated with: 1) lymphocyte sensitization in vitro to different allergens and to PPD; 2) circulating immune complexes; 3) serum histaminopexic capacity. In allergic rhinites a decrease of Tt and B lymphocytes and an increase of Ta lymphocytes was observed. In allergic bronchial asthma the Tt lymphocyte were found reduced. Lymphocyte reactivity to PPD in vitro was present in 100% of the cases and in vitro lymphocyte sensitivity to several allergens was observed in most of the cases. The histaminopexic capacity was absent or low in 75% of the patients with allergic rhinitis and in 66.6% of the patients with allergic bronchial asthma. The involvement of cellular mediated immunity in allergic diseases is discussed.