Change of T-lymphocyte ratio after keratoplasty.

Changes in the ratio of active and total E rosettes of 12 untreated and 26 corneal transplant patients with immunosuppressive therapy were examined weekly for a month and in the third month. On the basis of our results it can be stated that keratoplasty increases immune reactivity. This manifests itself in the increasing number of both the active and total E-rosette-forming lymphocytes. This increase in T cell number can be observed also after cataract operations in the first week, but in the latter case if no rejection occurs after keratoplasty the ratio of E-rosette-forming cells returns to the preoperative value in the third week. If the T-lymphocyte number is increased as late as the third week, that can be regarded as a rejection sign. Our data confirm the significance of active E-rosette-forming cells in immunological processes. Examination of the active and total E-rosette-forming T-lymphocytes has proved a suitable method for following up the cellular immunological processes directed against the corneal transplant.