Immunological studies in patients suffering from sympathetic ophthalmitis.

In nine sympathetic ophthalmitis patients, the serum IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations were found to be in the normal range, as were the proportions of active and total T-lymphocytes, the proportions of C3-binding and mouse erythrocyte-binding receptor-bearing B lymphocytes, the lymphocyte-stimulating effects of phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A, the leukocyte migration-inhibiting effect of the purified protein derivative of tuberculin, and the suppressor activity of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The beta 1C (C3 component of complement) level was increased in every patient. These results indicate that sympathetic ophthalmitis may also develop without damage to the immune system.