[The influence of rifampicin on the lymphocyte stimulation (author's transl)].

In 7 PHA--and PPD stimulated lymphocyte cultures from healthy human donors the maintained immunosuppressive effect of Rifampicin was investigated. Concentrations of 5-200 mug RMP/ml culture medium were used. A significant decrease in the transformation rate was found at 20 mug/ml and higher concentrations. A vitality examination (trypan blue staining) on lymphocytes after 72 hours cultivation in a RMP-containing medium with the same concentrations showed no increase of stained cells as compared with the controls. It is suggested that the observed inhibition of lymphocyte reactivity is to be attributed to an immunosuppressive effect of RMP and not to a toxic influence.