[Evaluation of thymic hormone and E-rosettes in patients with IgA deficiency]

We have investigated lymphocyte subpopulations and T cell functions, in particular E rosettes and serum level of thymic factor in ten young patients (aged 6 to 20) with partial and selective IgA deficiency. The control group included ten age-matched healthy subjects. Significantly depressed levels of serum thymic factor were found in six patients. These results were correlated with the decreased number of E rosettes found in five of them, and support a T-cell involvement in IgA deficiency.