Peripheral blood lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus. Relation to activity.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 3 patients with drug-induced lupus and 20 normal controls were studied. The absolute number of E-rosette-forming cells (ERFC) and surface immunoglobulin-bearing cells were determined during active and inactive stages of the disease. An attempt was made to establish the relationship between the number of ERFC and the clinical stages of the disease on one hand and treatment on the other. A decrease in ERFC was observed in all SLE patients, but it was most prominent in patients with active disease. No correlation was found between treatment and the decreased numbers of ERFC.