Lymphocyte subpopulations in multiple sclerosis: variations in rosette tests using erythrocytes from different sheep

Lymphocytes from 34 patients with active and with stable multiple sclerosis (MS) were examined by rosetting techniques. Patients with active disease had a relative lymphopenia (35 +/- 9%). When tested with erythrocytes (E) from one out of three sheep used, patients with active MS had a decrease in E-rosette forming cells (E-RFC) compared to patients with stable disease and with healthy controls. Other tests (active E-, EAET-, EA-, and EAC-RFC) did not disclose any differences between patients and controls. The results suggest that the origin of the E may be of importance in E-RFC tests.