Study of the relation between the clinical pulmonary condition of children with cystic fibrosis and the lymphoblastic response to the antigen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

This study was performed on four sibling pairs affected by cystic fibrosis. Of each sibling pair, one was more affected than the other. The results show that the lymphoblastic response to the antigen Pseudomonas aeruginosa of the most affected patient was strongly reduced in comparison to the response of the less affected one. The plasma from the most affected patient contains an inhibitory factor which reduces the lymphoblastic response of the less affected one. On the other hand, plasma from the less affected patient improves the lymphoblastic response of the most affected one (although not significantly). One notes a better lymphoblastic response when the most affected patient's lymphocytes are put in the presence of the less affected one's antigens and plasma. These findings suggest a phenomenon of lymphocyte tolerance in the most affected patient towards P. aeruginosa.