Lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with acute optic neuritis

Ten patients with acute optic neuritis (AON) were examined for T and B lymphocytes in blood and cerebrospinal fluid by means of rosette techniques. The percentage of T lymphocytes in blood was significantly decreased (54+/-3%) compared to controls (66+/-2%). Absolute numbers of T lymphocytes, and relative and absolute B lymphocyte concentrations were not significantly different from controls. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) T lymphocyte percentage was significantly increased (88.8% compared to 78.0% in controls). The relative CSF immunoglobulin G concentration was elevated in four patients (40%). On agarose gel electrophoresis, bands in the gamma globulin region were found in two patients (20%).