Cell-mediated immune reactivity in liver disease

Abstract

Cell-mediated immunity has been investigated using the leucocyte migration test in 32 patients with chronic active hepatitis or primary biliary cirrhosis. Twenty-six (75%) showed reactivity to liver extract. At least two antigens are involved. Cell-mediated reactivity was confirmed in some cases using lymphocyte ;blast' transformation. There was no correlation with the presence of auto-antibodies.Cell-mediated immunity to parotid extract was shown in 10 cases (28%). This is in accord with the occurrence of the sicca syndrome in liver disease, which has been confirmed in this study.