[Lymphogranulomatosis: a systems analysis of the age- and sex-related characteristics of hemopoiesis and metabolism].

72 clinical and laboratory features were analyzed on the IBM PC 486 for 126 new cases of lymphogranulomatosis prior to treatment. Myelograms were found to vary with sex and age of the patients demonstrating close relations between hemopoiesis and processes in the lymph nodes. In males maturation of myeloid elements KM was inhibited, though they had more monocytes KM. These monocytes got more numerous in unfavorable histological variants and generalization. Lymphopenia and monocytosis were more pronounced in patients under 30 becoming more severe in generalization and intoxication. Age-related changes in cholesterol in lymphogranulomatosis patients were abnormal: in older patients cholesterol was low. This phenomenon is extremely unfavorable. The findings elucidate prognostic value of sex and age in lymphogranulomatosis and suggest a hypothesis that monocytes (macrophages) and secreted by them monokines are responsible for specific intoxication, neutrophilia and lymphopenia. Berezovsky-Sternberg cells may be hybrids of macrophages and B-lymphocytes.