Cellular immunodeficiency with immunoglobulins: treatment with a thymus implant in millipore diffusion chambers

A 14 month old male affected by cellular immunodeficiency with immunoglobulins underwent implantation of a thymus enclosed in Millipore diffusion chambers. Five days after the implant the percentage of T lymphocytes forming spontaneous rosettes reached normal levels. One month later responsiveness to PHA was demonstrated in the patient's lymphocytes and IgG and IgM serum levels showed a marked increase. Positive skin tests were elicited 6 month's post-implant. An inguinal lymph node biopsy showed developing primary follicles and germinal centers. The patient's condition improved significantly. One year after the implant the patient died from irreversible neurological deterioration. It is suggested that partial immunological reconstitution was achieved by thymic humoral factors.