ABSTRACT
The early history of Hodgkin’s disease (HD) around the turn of the century focused on frequent association with tuberculosis. There is evidence that host factors in HD suppress normal lymphocyte functions. In contrast to the severe disturbance of cell-mediated immunity, immune globulin levels and antibody production to previously encountered antigens may be preserved until late in the disease. It is generally agreed that lymphocytes from the majority of HD patients display morphological and functional abnormalities. However, there is no constancy of clinical connection patterns of the defects. The majority of blood lymphocytes in healthy subjects are T-lymphocytes defined as cells forming rosettes with sheep red blood cells. In a study of 39 untreated patients, only the stimulatory capacity of HD lymphocytes was significantly impaired. There was no statistically significant depression of their responding capacity. Increased numbers of large basophilic cells are found in the blood of patients with active HD.
