[The action of levamisole on thymodependent rosettes in normal and atopic subjects]

Thymo-derived E-rosettes and fast E-rosettes have been determined in 26 normal and 17 atopic patients. The effect of levamisole in vitro has been studied by adjunction in the cell suspension at a concentration of 100 gamma/ml. In normal and atopic subjects the E-rosettes are not modified by levamisole. Fast E-rosettes are significantly increased by levamisole in normal but not in atopic patients. These results support the hypothesis of a functional deficiency of T-lymphocytes in atopy; they are correlated by the failure of treatment of atopic dermatitis by levamisole.