Immunocytological studies in a case of Bruton's disease

Immunopathological findings in a case with infantile X-linked agamma globulinemia (Bruton's disease) are reported and compared to similar data from two cousins of the patient. Besides a severe decrease in B-lymphocytes in blood and lymph node, residual B-cells showed an almost total defect in Ig surface receptor expression. In addition, there was an unusual lymphocyte population which apparently exhibited E-rosette formation (i.e. T-cell characteristics) and phagocytosis. The data suggest that in Bruton's disease there may be a disturbance of the T-cell system besides the well known B-cell deficiency.