E-rosette formation of lymphocytes from patients with atopic dermatitis

The total number of circulating T lymphocytes in 47 patients with atopic dermatitis was a significantly lower than in 98 healthy persons. However, when the T lymphocytes were investigated for their affinity to sheep erythrocytes (E-rosette formation), no difference was found between patients and healthy persons, when using several different techniques varying in length of incubation of sheep erythrocytes and lymphocytes, presence of fetal calf serum, glassware, media, increased mechanical force at resuspension, and different observers. Our findings are discussed with reference to earlier publications of a reduced percentage of E-rosette forming lymphocytes in patients with atopic dermatitis.