[The determination of natural killer cells in the peripheral blood of patients with diffuse toxic goiter]

Natural killer cells were evaluated in patients with diffuse toxic goiter by determining large granule-containing lymphocytes in the peripheral blood that was found to be reduced depending on the course of diffuse toxic goiter. The values were lower in severe course of the disease. Results of the quantitative determination of large granule-containing lymphocytes in the complex with other clinico-laboratory findings reflect the severity of the course of chronic diffuse goiter, state of unspecific immunity and treatment efficacy.