Inhibition of spontaneous E-rosetting by antithymocyte globulin in Graves disease

The number of thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes and the concentrations of antithymocyte-globulin causing 25% inhibition of E-rosetting were determined in 40 cases of Graves disease. No significant difference in T-lymphocyte count was found between the test groups and the control group. An increased resistance of T-lymphocytes to antithymocyte globulin was found in Graves disease, particularly in its form marked by progressive ophthalmopathy. The increase in resistance was significant in the first five years of the disease.