Storage artifact increases helper T lymphocytes and helper-to-suppressor T lymphocyte ratio to normal levels in a patient with acquired immune deficiency related complex.

An increase in both the helper/suppressor T lymphocyte ratio and the absolute number of helper T lymphocytes from subnormal to normal values was observed on overnight storage of a lymphocyte preparation from a patient with acquired immune deficiency related complex. Storage of lymphocyte preparations did not significantly alter the helper/suppressor ratio for four additional patients with acquired immune deficiency related complex but produced increases for one patient with Crohn's disease and two patients with sickle cell disease. Overnight storage of heparinized blood at room temperature did not alter the helper/suppressor ratio for one healthy volunteer and one patient with acquired immune deficiency related complex but produced increases for one patient with Crohn's disease and one patient with acute infectious mononucleosis, resulting in a change from a subnormal to a normal value in the latter patient. We suggest that physicians and laboratory directors consider storage artifacts when evaluating results of tests for absolute numbers of helper T lymphocytes or helper/suppressor T lymphocyte ratios performed on patients.