Immunologic studies in asymptomatic hemophiliac patients.

Various immunological parameters were studied in 20 asymptomatic patients with hemophilia A, 3 patients with hemophilia B and 1 patient with von Willebrand disease. Patients were treated with cryoprecipitate or fresh frozen plasma. Significantly decreased mean percentage and absolute count (p less than 0.01) of peripheral blood E-rosette-forming cells compared to controls was found. There were normal mean percentages and absolute counts of lymphocytes, T-helper inducer, T-suppressor cytotoxic and natural killer cells. The proportion and absolute number of B cells was slightly increased. Significantly decreased natural killer cell activity (p = 0.02) of peripheral blood lymphocytes was observed. Our results indicate that asymptomatic patients with hemophilia may have early evidence of immunodeficiency.