Lymphocyte glycogen content in various diseases

Abstract

The lymphocyte glycogen content has been measured semi-quantitatively by staining peripheral blood films by the periodic-acid-Schiff (P.A.S.) technique. The high values reported in chronic lymphatic leukaemia, lymphosarcoma, Hodgkin's disease, and infectious mononucleosis have been confirmed. High values have also been found in cases with chronic suppuration, ulcerative colitis, myelomatosis, and epithelial malignancies. Our results suggest that a high lymphocyte glycogen content may be produced by several different mechanisms and that the test is of little value in differential diagnosis.