Immunodeficiencies in Hodgkin's disease. Part I: T cell-mediated immunity.

Almost every T cell-mediated immune defect has been observed in patients with Hodgkin's disease. These immune defects are present as early as Stage I disease. T cell-mediated immune defects appears to be due to both cellular and serum factors. The demonstrable immune defects found in family members, including spouses, suggest a horizontal transmission of disease, perhaps by a virus. However, these family studies remain to be confirmed and extended to twins who do not live together.