Alois E. Bachmann

Defective function of peripheral blood monocytes in patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Phagocytosis and lysis of C. pseudotropicalis by peripheral blood monocytes from Hodgkins and non‐Hodgkins lymphoma were analysed. In Hodgkins disease, there was a decrease in the phagocytic activity of blood monocytes; moreover, the candidacidal activity was significantly decreased as compared with normal controls. Although monocytes from non‐Hodgkins patients presented normal phagocytic function, the ability to kill C. pseudotropicalis was impaired. In both groups of lymphomas, the data showed that the abnormal findings were not related to treatment. These results indicate that monocytes from Hodgkins and non‐Hodgkins lymphoma posses a deficiency in killing C. pseudotropicalis, which could be due to an intrinsic macrophage defect in the myeloperoxidase‐independent mechanisms and which may be responsible for the predisposition of these patients to candida infections.

The relation between Epstein-Barr virus antibodies and clinical symptomatology and immunodeficiency in patients with Hodgkin's disease.

Anti‐Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) titers were measured in the sera of 37 patients with Hodgkins disease and in 40 normal controls. The patients were grouped according to histologic type, clinical symptomatology (relapse or remission), and their immune state (immunodeficient or non‐immunodeficient). Anti‐Epstein‐Barr nuclear antigens (EBNA) and antiviral capside antigens (VGA) titers were higher in patients with Hodgkins diesase than in the controls. Anti‐EBNA titers were significantly higher in patients with lymphocyte predominance, and anti‐VCA titers were significantly higher in patients with mixed cellularity. Patients in clinical relapse had higher anti‐EBV antibody titers than patients in remission or those in the control group. Immunodeficient patients had significantly higher anti‐VCA titers than either the non‐immunodeficient or the control cases. We believe high anti‐EBV titers are related to immunodeficiencies. The relationship between Hodgkins disease and EBV is discussed.