Immunological function of tonsils in atopic and nonatopic children, with special reference to E- and EAC-binding...

This investigation was carried out to determine the immunological function of the human tonsils, especially the role of lymphocytes of the atopic and nonatopic children. Authors introduced E- and EAC-rosettes forming technique with semi-quantitative evaluation of T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood of 56 normal subjects, 28 atopic and 5 nonaptoic children of both sexes and different age. The percentage of T and B lymphocytes in removed palatine tonsils in 28 atopic and 5 nonatopic children was calculated. The percentage of rosettes forming cells in E and EAC suspensions appeared to be independent of age and sex. The percentage of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood is significantly higher than in the palatine tonsils whereas the percentage of B lymphocytes is significantly higher in the tonsils of atopic and nonatopic children than in the peripheral blood. The mean percentage of B lymphocytes in the tonsils of atopic children is significantly higher than in nonatopic children. The percentage of B lymphocytes was found to be significantly higher in hypertrophic than in small tonsils. Also, in the tonsils with adhesions there was a statistically significant higher percentage of EAC rosettes than in the tonsils free of adhesions. The percentage of T lymphocytes is statistically significant higher in the small tonsils.