DNA-synthesizing T and non-T cells in bacterial infections.

The results of autoradiographic determination of DNA-synthesizing lymphocytes (3H-thymidine) in 10 patients with bacterial infections were compared with results in 10 normal patients and contrasted with 23 CLL patients in different stages [12]. In patients with infectious diseases the absolute number of T cells was lower and the mean values of S-phase T cells and S-phase non-T cells was higher than in normal persons. In contrast to the patients with infections, CLL patients in stage o--III have lower S-phase T cell values and higher S-phase non-T cell values. In stage IV, on the other hand, all DNA-synthesizing lymphocytes are increased.