[Cell mediated immunity in sarcoidosis patients]. / Zellvermittelte Immunität bei Sarkoidosekranken

ABSTRACT

In vitro tests, lymphocyte transformation tests, and leukocyte migration inhibition tests were carried out on nineteen patients with different stages of sarcoidosis. In all patients there was found a defect of cell-mediated immunity, which was most strongly pronounced in the remission phase of the disease. It is believed that the disturbance of cell-mediated immunity is a result of the disease. It is possible for such a disturbance to be intensified in the further course of disease. It appears that this disturbance may be compensated for by the system of B lymphocytes, through humoral antibodies, because clinical phenomena manifest in the patients and corresponding to the deficiency of immunity demonstrated in vitro could not be observed.