[Increased numbers of large granular lymphocytes in the peripheral blood in selected inflammatory rheumatic diseases]

In six patients with selected inflammatory rheumatic diseases the authors found increased numbers of LGL in the peripheral blood. Concurrently in these patients an increase of lymphocytes with the CD57 sign was found. In one patient with rheumatoid arthritis more detailed analysis revealed a reduced number of lymphocytes with sign CD16. In this patient in the peripheral blood cells with signs CD3+ and CD57 were found and the function of NK cells was markedly reduced. The clinical course of the disease in the patients was severe, in particular in SLE, where in three patients the disease was associated with the development of lupus glomerulonephritis. The patients were treated by immunosuppressive therapy. The authors reflect on the causes of the increase of LGL cells and do not rule out the possible presence of a serious immunoregulatory disorder between T and B lymphocytes.