Detection of tissue T-cell in patients with chronic active hepatitis using fragmented sheep red blood cell (SRBC) membrane.

Fragmented sheep red blood cell (SRBC) membrane was used for detection of T-cells in liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic active hepatitis. SRBC was separated with Lymphoprep, sonicated, then filtered through a 3 mu Millipore-membrane as a fragmented SRBC reagent. Tissue T-cells were stained by an indirect immunofluorescent technique using SRBC reagent and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled rabbit anti-SRBC. Positively staining lymphocytes were present in portal tracts and in areas of piecemeal necrosis. There also seemed to be a positive correlation between the number of positively staining lymphocytes and the activity of chronic hepatitis; numerous lymphocytes being stained in areas of severe piecemeal necrosis. Our findings suggest that the fragmented SRBC technique for detection of T-cells is reliable and reproducible, that it could be used as a clinical routine method, and that it is useful for further elucidating the nature of host immune reactions on tissue levels.