Immunological Investigations on Tonsillar and Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes after Adeno-tonsillectomy: Possible Suggestions for Phenotypical and Functional Differences

Abstract

The phenotypical and functional aspects of tonsillar (TMNC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) obtained from 40 patients who had undergone adeno-tonsillectomy for different tonsillar diseases were investigated. TMNC and PBMNC were separately tested at the time of surgery; then a further investigation on the peripheral blood lymphocytes was performed three months after surgery. The most interesting findings are presented and discussed with particular attention to their clinical implications.

Key Words:

• tonsil
• monoclonal antibodies
• interleukines