[Prognostic value of delayed-hypersensitivity skin tests and rosette studies in acute non-lymphoid leukemias]

Delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions to Tuberculin and Candidin were studied in 28 patients with non lymphoid acute leukemias. The reactions were found negative in most patients during blastic crises, whereas delayed skin reactions to Candidin were positive during remissions. The possible prognostic significance of the depressed delayed hypersensitivity response in such patients deserves further studies. Alterations of circulating T lymphocytes were observed, including low percentages of E and active E rosette-forming cells during blastic crises, and persisting low E and E active rosettes in some patients in remission; such abnormalities were less frequent in patients with remission of long duration. The percentages of EA and EAC rosettes-forming cells were found normal during blastic crises and remissions. In some patients in remission, lymphocytes were found to bind sheep erythrocytes either uncoated or coated with IgM antibodies, this penomenon which is not observed with normal lymphocytes may reveal persisting abnormalities of a yet undefined nature.