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. 1974 Oct;27(10):767–771. doi: 10.1136/jcp.27.10.767

Cytochemical profile of B and T leukaemic lymphocytes with special reference to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

D Catovsky 1, J Galetto 1, A Okos 1, E Miliani 1, D A G Galton 1
PMCID: PMC475478  PMID: 4547770

Abstract

The PAS and acid phosphatase reactions showed a different pattern of positivity in the cells of lymphoproliferative disorders according to their B or T cell nature. In B-cell leukaemias (chronic lymphocytic and prolymphocytic) a low proportion of lymphocytes gave a positive result with the acid phosphatase reaction, while the majority were PAS positive in granular form. In contrast, in the T-prolymphocytic and T-lymphoblastic leukaemias the acid phosphatase reaction was positive in the majority of cells, while the PAS reaction was only positive in a minority. The significance of these findings, particularly for the recognition of a distinct T-cell variant of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, is discussed.

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Selected References

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