Occurrence of lymphocytotoxic lymphocytes and antibodies after corneal transplantation.

Twentyfive recipients of penetrating corneal grafts were investigated for the presence in the peripheral blood of cytotoxic lymphocytes by the Direct Cell Mediated Lympholysis (Direct CML) test as well as for lymphocytotoxic antibodies. Eight patients presented a positive Direct CML. Six of these patients have shown clinical signs of graft rejection, while two patients had a clinically uncomplicated course. Only one of the 25 patients had lymphocytotoxic antibodies. This patient showed a negative Direct CML, and a clinically uncomplicated course.. The findings seem to imply that recipients of corneal grafts can be immunized by their grafts and that cytotoxic lymphocytes in peripheral blood appear frequently in those patients showing graft rejection.