Lymphocyte surface-attached immunoglobulins in some clinical conditions

The TEAG rosette test was not devised as an immediate diagnostic indicator, but in order to detect gross differences over a period of time between the lymphocytes of patients with conditions where immune complexes may be formed, and those of normal people. In summary these results indicate that:- 1. Percentage TEAG rosettes were highly significantly increased in patients with SLE, active chronic hepatitis and carcinoma of lung compared with normal controls, when the tests were performed on suspensions, containing over 90% lymphocytes, separated from peripheral blood. 2. Estimates of mean B lymphocytes plus blood monocytes in the separated suspensions, as measured by EAC rosettes (and peroxidase and differential counts for monocytes) are exceeded by TEAG-rosetting cells in the patients tested. 3. Tests on patients with chronic autoimmune conditions (e.g. ACH and SLE) do not show a highly significant difference from normal controls with respect to mean total cells forming E-rosettes. 4. It may be speculated that some TEAG rosettes are formed by T-cells which could have immune complexes or autologous anti-lymphocyte globulin on their surface and that such a condition may account for the depressed T-cell function found in these conditions.