Clinico-Immunological Studies of Filarial Chyluria

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulation counts, serum ƒA-globulin levels, serum immunoglobulin levels were measured, and skin tests with FST, PPD, PHA and DNCB were performed on filarial chyluria patients. T cell counts of the patients were reduced on an average to half of those of controls. However, there were no marked changes in B cell counts. Both T and B cell counts were significantly increased with the disappea- rance of urine protein. Changes in levels of serum immunoglobulins were examined. Positive reaction rates to PPD, PHA and DNCB were reduced. The presence of cellular immuno- deficiency was suspected in chyluria on the basis of decreased T cell counts and reduced hypersensitivity tests.