Immunological marker patterns in granulomatous lymph node lesions

The distribution of various types of lymphocytes and macrophages was studied in 19 cases with granulomatous lymph node lesions using 14 monoclonal antibodies. Cases of sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteriosis all showed well demarcated granulomas devoid of B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. In these cases, T-helper: T-suppressor cell ratios were greater than 2 and poor preservation of the normal lymphoid tissue outside the granulomas was seen. In contrast, cases of non-specific lymphadenitis showed less well-demarcated granulomas always containing B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells, with a T-helper:T-suppressor cell ratio less than 1 and good preservation of the normal lymphoid tissue outside the granulomas. Immunological marker studies may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous lymph node lesions, as well as in the study of the pathogenesis of such lesions.