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. 1989 Feb;75(2):196–200.

Immunodeficiency associated with selective loss of helper/inducer T cells and hypogammaglobulinaemia in a child with intestinal lymphangiectasia.

H Yamamoto 1, T Tsutsui 1, M Mayumi 1, S Kasakura 1
PMCID: PMC1542133  PMID: 2522838

Abstract

A patient with intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) was studied for his immunological abnormalities. The patient had hypoproteinaemia with severe hypogammaglobulinaemia. The results of lymphocyte subpopulation studies revealed a decrease of CD4+ cells and a decrease of surface immunoglobulin (sIg)-positive B lymphocytes. T cell functions determined by the proliferative responses against Concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and by delayed type cutaneous hypersensitivity (DTH) response to purified protein derivatives (PPD) and PHA were normal. No immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells were induced when his peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were cultured with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). His T cells showed suppressor function to the PWM-induced differentiation of normal B cells. This suppressor activity was sensitive to 3000 rads irradiation. His B cells also failed to differentiate into Ig-producing cells with the help of normal T cells and PWM. Thus, in this patient, the decrease of Ig-synthesis in vitro could be attributed to suppressor T cells, lack of T helper cells and an intrinsic B cell defect. Therefore, this patient appears to have immunological abnormalities which differ from previously reported IL patients.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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