Altered Immunologic Activity in Sarcoidosis

Abstract

Studies in 16 patients with sarcoidosis revealed evidence of immunologic alterations other than impaired delayed hypersensitivity. Transient impairment of the response of lymphocytes cultured from patients with sarcoidosis to phytohemagglutinin stimulation was found to parallel the clinical severity of the disease. The hemolytic activity of serum complement was increased. A disproportionate increase in serum IgA was found characteristic of the hyperglobulinemia of sarcoidosis. These observations indicate that an altered immune response may be important in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. A simple hypothesis as to the specific kind of interaction of infectious agent and immunity which might result in the immunologic alterations observed is formulated and presented.