Subnormal Response of Blood Lymphocytes to Phytohaemagglutinin in Adult Coeliac Disease Complicated by Intestinal Lymphoma

Abstract

Surface markers and the response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were determined in blood lymphocytes from five patients with adult coeliac disease (ACD) complicated by intestinal lymphoma, eight ACD patients without lymphoma, and control individuals without signs of ACD. The proportions of lymphocytes forming rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, lymphocytes with surface IgM, and lymphocytes with Fc IgG receptors were similar in all groups. A subnormal response to PHA was found in the patients with ACD and concomitant intestinal lymphoma. In ACD without lymphoma the PHA response was normal. In ACD patients with relapse of abdominal symptoms despite a gluten-free diet, the demonstration of a subnormal PHA response may strengthen the suspicion of a complicating intestinal lymphoma.

Key words:

• Coeliac disease
• intestinal lymphoma
• lymphocytes