[Lymphocyte transformation test of peripheral and tonsillar lymphocytes in chronic tonsillitis].

Transformation tests of tonsillar and blood lymphocytes with many streptococcal extracellular antigens and streptococcal membrane antigen in patients suffering from chronic tonsillitis were performed. The in-vitro cellular immunoresponse depends on the antigen, the age of the patient, and the origin of the lymphocytes: blood or tonsil. There is good evidence that there is a selective unresponsiveness of the blood lymphocytes in adult patients, stimulated with streptococcal membrane antigen.