Search

In the last few years, we have adopted the following immunological techniques for the study of hilarmediastinal lymphadenopathies: the E and EAC rosette tests (composition of the lymphocyte population) for an evaluation of the general immunological picture, the delayed-type cutaneous tests to reveal the specific picture of cell-mediated immune responses, and the leucocyte migration inhibition test against related and unrelated antigens. This cellular technique was integrated with the determination of precipitating and agglutinating antibodies against the same antigens. Data are reported regarding tubercular and sarcoid lymphadenopathies, Hodgkin's disease, and secondary neoplastic lymphadenopathy with prevalent intratoracic localization. The techniques used demonstrated that tubercular lymphadenopathy is associated with a well defined immunological profile which is both humoral and cellular. Sarcoid lymphadenopathy (thoracic sarcoidosis) showed a specific, well characterized immunological picture as regards cell-mediated immune responses. In Hodgkin's disease (hilarmediastinal lymphadenopathy) the immunological technique showed up a general, depressed immunological picture, particularly as regards the cell-mediated immunitary response, presumably partly due to the treatment given (physical and pharmacological therapy). Secondary neoplastic lymphadenopathy showed a similar pattern, as far as the immunological parameters used until now are concerned. On the basis of experience gained to date, we believe that the immunological techniques can make a contribution to diagnostic and clinical studies of tubercular and sarcoid lymphadenopathies.