Naturally occurring T lymphocytotoxic antibody in viral and related skin diseases.

The naturally occurring T lymphocytotoxic antibodies in patients with viral and related skin diseases were investigated and compared with those of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The incidences of T lymphocytotoxic antibodies in exanthema suspected of viral infection, infectious mononucleosis, rubella and pityriasis rosea were 28%, 44%, 8% and 28% respectively. Sera from patients with herpes zoster and erythema infectiosum did not show positivity. Incidence in SLE sera as positive control was 82%. The T lymphocytotoxic antibodies detected in skin diseases were similar in nature to those of SLE patients, but were transient and lower in titer than those of SLE.