[Immunologic studies with the lymphocyte transformation test on the side effects of D-penicillamine therapy in...

18 patients with Wilson's disease with and without proteinuria and 19 test persons without Wilson's disease were examined for a disturbance of the transformation on account of phythemagglutinin, streptolysin-O and several D-penicillamine preparations by means of the lymphocyte transformation test. Also during the therapy with D-penicillamine was no cause for a disturbed transformation of lymphocytes on the mitogen phythemagglutinin. A cell-conditioned immune reaction to D-penicillamine which could be established by means of the lymphocyte transformation test under the conditions chosen seems to be present in patients with Wilson's disease neither in lacking or insignificant nor in pronounced proteinuria. The increased transformation rates to streptolysin-O in Wilson's disease need confirmation in a larger number of patients. Like the increased spontaneous transformation rates they might refer to an immune-stimulating effect of the D-penicillamine.