Characterization of circulating lymphocytes by monoclonal antibodies in donovanosis

In 65 donovanosis patients, 53 ulcerogranulomatous, 10 hypertrophic, and 2 sclerotic, the hematological profile and quantitation of circulating blood lymphocyte subpopulations were studied with monoclonal antibodies and an indirect immunofluorescence technique to assess the immunological under-currents of the disease. The ulcerogranulomatous variant had increases in both total leucocyte and absolute lymphocyte counts. Total T-lymphocytes, CD4, CD8, CD22, and CD4/CD8 ratio were all significantly elevated. The hypertrophic variant, in contrast, showed a significant elevation only in the CD4/CD8 ratio.