Lymphocyte subpopulations in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Lymphocyte counts and T,B and null cell proportions were analyzed in forty non-splenectomized, non-nephrectomized maintenance hemodialysis patients, and compared with those in controls. The patients were lymphopenic, but had normal T, B and null cell percentages, regardless of tehir primary renal disease. It is postulated that their lymphocyte suppression is non-selective and may be related to the state of controlled azotemia or to the dialysis procedure.