[T-lymphocyte subpopulation in the blood of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

In 40 healthy subjects and 80 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) rosette formation test with sheep erythrocytes subjected to the action of neuraminidase (nRTB), immunofluorescent investigation of membrane immunoglobulins (BIg) and a combined test (nRTB + BIg) were performed. The relative number of rosette-forming cells (T lymphocytes) was much lower in the group of CLL patients (0.16 +/- 0.08 1/1) than in controls (0.64 +/- 0.12 1/1). The absolute number of T lymphocytes (BLLT) was, however, significantly higher in patients with CLL 5.1 +/- 4.4 G/L) than in controls (0.98 +/- 0.28 G/L). The relative number of bireceptor cells was 0.0045 +/- 0.0093 1/1 in CLL patients and that of null-cells 0.24 +/- 0.17 1/1. Analogous values in the control group were 0.0089 +/- 0.009 1/1 and 0.21 +/- 0.091 1/1. The possible causes of this rise in the absolute number of T lymphocytes in CLL may by: 1) proliferation of both subpopulations of lymphocytes, 2) reaction of T lymphocytes against leukaemic cells, 3) disturbances of equilibrium between B and T lymphocytes.