Effect of levamisole on E rosette inhibition by serum of malnourished children.

E rosette forming lymphocyte levels were measured in 5 normal children (in the presence or absence of levamisole) after in vitro gamma globulin (AGG) or sera containing E rosette inhibitory substance obtained from kwashiorkor children. The experiments were repeated using lymphocytes from 5 kwashiorkor children who showed detectable levels of serum E rosette inhibitory substance. There was a diminution in the E rosette formation of normal lymphocytes treated with AGG or with serum of kwashiorkor children having E rosette inhibitory substance. Addition of levamisole in vitro significantly increased the levels of E rosettes. Similarly low levels of E rosettes were demonstrated when lymphocytes of kwashiorkor children were incubated with autologous sera. Treatment with levamisole in vitro also improved the levels of E rosettes.