Subpopulations of T lymphocytes in a patient with fulminant mycosis fungoides

Abstract

A patient with fulminant Mycosis fungoides was found to have a very high percentage of T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgG and a low percentage of T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgM. The total number of T lymphocytes was normal, but the in vitro function of the lymphocytes was depressed in short-term cultures, though not in cultures of 5 days' duration. T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgG are considered to have suppressor functions, and the immunological changes in this patient may be explained by an increased suppressor cell activity. Other investigators have proposed that the abnormal lymphocytes in Mycosis fungoides are T helper cells. After treatment with electron beam and transfer factor, our patient developed uraemia due to uric acid crystallization in the kidneys. This complication to the treatment given seems not to have been reported before.