Anergy and Skin Homograft Survival in Hodgkinʼs Disease

B Lymphocytes in Untreated Patients with Malignant Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease

“…This finding could mean, simply, that inhibitors of PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation are present in the blood. Although T lymphocyte-dependent immunological functions have often been shown to be depressed in patients with Hodgkin's disease (36)(37)(38), Young et al have shown that T lymphocyte deficiencies may be minimal early in the course of Hodgkin's disease (39). Our results showing a deficiency of PHA responsiveness in some of these patients, as determined in our microculture system, may be indicative of quantitative differences in the function of these lymphocytes.…”

Studies on Delayed Hypersensitivity in Hodgkin's Disease*

“…Kelly, Good, Varco, and Levitt (7,8) have reported their inability to induce hypersensitivity to diphtheria toxoid in nine patients with Hodgkin's disease. However, only nine of 13 normal controls became sensitized with the technique they employed.…”

“…The early finding of tuberculin negativity in these patients (2,3), even in the presence of active tuberculous infection, has been confirmed repeatedly. Subsequent investigations have indicated that this cutaneous anergy extends to many other allergens mediated by the delayed or cellular type of hypersensitivity mechanism (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Recently, the demonstration of tolerance to skin homografts in some patients with Hodgkin's disease (12) has further emphasized the extent of the immunological defect.…”

Reticuloendothelial System Phagocytic Function in Patients with Hodgkin's Disease*

“…Certain of these may occur throughout the patient's course and are possibly related to deficient mechanisms of delayed hypersensitivity (3)(4)(5)(6). However, the majority of infectious episodes occur late in the course of the illness (2), when other factors, such as the extensive use of immunosuppressive agents, especially corticosteroids (2), lymphocytopenia (7), and alterations in circulating antibody (8)(9)(10), may be implicated.…”