Percent distribution of T- and B-cells in tonsils of children, juveniles and adults.

The percent distribution of T- and B-lymphocytes in tonsilar tissue of 122 patients from 2--68 years and both sexes was investigated. T-cells were determined by the E-rosetting technique and B-cells by immunofluorescence. We found 50.3% B-cells and 30.6% T-cells in tonsilar tissue. There was a significant decrease of IgM-receptor carrying cells with increasing age and with a converse behavior of the sum of IgA-, IgD-, IgE-receptor B-cells. In tonsils with acute inflammation and with hyperplasia IgM cells were also increased significantly when compared to cell counts in chronic tonsillitis. The results are discussed and compared to data from the literature.