[Various immunological phenomena in myasthenia gravis. Preliminary report]

The proportions of subsets of T and B lymphocytes and their counts were determined in the peripheral blood in 15 patients with myasthenia. The blastic transformation of these cells was studied after stimulation with mitogens: PHA, Con A and PWM. The serum immunoglobulin level was determined as well. In five thymectomized patients these investigations were repeated during up to two years after the operation. The comparison of the results of these tests in the patients and healthy controls showed differences only in the ability to respond with blastic transformation of the lymphocytes to PHA and Con A. This ability was reduced in some patients with myasthenia. Investigations repeated after thymectomy failed to demonstrate changes in the proportions and counts of T and B lymphocytes, degree of blastic transformation and immunoglobulin levels in relation to prethymectomy values.