B Lymphocytes in Lepromatous Leprosy

Abstract

Abstract B lymphocytes were quantified in peripheral blood of nine patients with lepromatous leprosy by means of an immunofluorescent technic. In five of seven cases with active lepromatous leprosy the proportions and absolute numbers of B lymphocytes were very high (60 to 85 per cent). Two patients showed normal percentages of B lymphocytes (28.7 ± 6.9); and one of these had recently experienced a reversal reaction toward a tuberculoid form. Two patients with lepromatous leprosy treated effectively with sulfones whose disease was apparently inactive clinically continued to show elevated numbers of B lymphocytes. The high number of B lymphocytes may represent an overcompensation or stimulation of B cells when the T-cell population and its functions are deficient. (N Engl J Med 288:1033–1035, 1973)