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

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Abstract
Surface markers and the response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were determined in blood lymphocytes from 5 patients with adult celiac disease (ACD) complicated by intestinal lymphoma, 8 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.