[T- and B-lymphocytes in the so-called collagenoses]

Lymphocytes of peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and dermatomyositis were investigated, and relatively, with regard to T- or B-cell characteristics. T-lymphocytes of most patients with SLE were decreased both absolutely. B-lymphocytes mostly showed only a relative increase. Successful immunosuppressive treatment usually accompanied by normalization of T-cell number and with decrease of B-cells. This differentiation of lymphocytes is an additional aid in the determination of activity of SLE and a useful index of immunosuppressive-cytostatic treatment.