Active E rosette-forming cells in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic active hepatitis.

E rosette-forming cells (E-RFC) and active E-RFC were studied in the peripheral blood in patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH), chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), and in control subjects. A significant reduction in active E-RFC (a subpopulation of T lymphocytes considered actively involved in cell-mediated immune reactions) was found in patients with untreated CAH, both HBSAg positive or negative. In contrast, patients with immunosuppressive-treated CAH showed an increased relative number of active E-RFC. A significant increase in active E-RFC was demonstrable in other immunosuppressive-treated chronic inflammatory disorders. In CPH active E-RFC were not different from normal controls. The number of E-RFC showed a relative and absolute decrease in both CPH and untreated CAH. These studies demonstrate an increase in active E-RFC in immunosuppressive-treated CAH and suggest that prednisone and azathioprine may have a differential effect on T lymphocyte subpopulations.