Sub-populations of peripheral lymphocytes from patients with shigella bacillary dysentery with associated leucocytosis

In this study we ascertained the proportion and absolute number of T, B and nul cell peripheral lymphocytes from Shigella dysenteriae type I patients and compared these results with those from age matched controls. Single blood samples were collected from 13 Bangladeshi children who complained of symptoms for one or more weeks. Patients were divided into two categories, with and without a leukaemoid response. The leukaemoid response was primarily granulocytic in nature, but there was a substantial increase in the mean number of lymphocytes. Over one third of the lymphocytes were nul cells. These cells rose proportionally to the decrease of T-cells, as the proportion of B-cells remained within normal range. One leukaemoid patient died. The absolute number of lymphocytes was normal and the B-cells were normal in respect of both proportions and absolute numbers. T-cell percentage and numbers were well below normal values.