Correlation between mixed lymphocyte cultures and anti-Epstein Barr virus (EBV) antibodies in Hodgkin's disease and non Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

: Cellular and humoral immunity was examined in Hodgkin's disease and non Hodgkin lymphoma (33) patients and compared with a normal group. Mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) were used as parameter for cell mediated immunity and anti-Epstein Barr virus (EBV) antibodies for specific humoral immunity. High stimulation indices coincided with low anti-VCA and anti-EBNA titers in the control group (r = -0.343). This negative correlation was not found in non Hodgkin lymphomas and was substantially lower (r = -0.142) in Hodgkin's disease. The alterations in immunoregulatory mechanisms in these patients are discussed.