[Lymphocyte changes in chronic posthemorrhagic iron-deficiency anemia].

Ninety patients with chronic posthemorrhagic iron deficiency anemia were examined, looking for morphological and functional deviations in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Reduced blast transformation of lymphocytes was found under the effect of phytohemagglutinin and as improvement - by the treatment with iron-containing preparations. No reduction was established of T-lymphocytes, immunoglobulins as well as a change in the ultrastructure of lymphocyte mitochondria. The role of iron deficiency is discussed in connection with the phenomena observed as well as the enhanced susceptibility to acute respiratory infections.