[New approaches to the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis. The interrelation of functional and immunological disorders].

A subpopulation study of immunocompetent cells was carried out in 76 patients with chronic bronchitis, using monoclonal antibodies OKT 3, OKT 11, OKT 4, OKT 8, OKT 6, OKT 10, OKB 7, OKM 1, OKIa 1 and Leu 7. Detailed investigation of external respiratory and cardiovascular functions was done simultaneously. Four types of immune response were identified in relation to immunity control: individuals with a high immunoregulatory index (T helper/T suppressor ratio) due to a profound deficiency of the T suppressor subpopulation; patients with a decreased immunoregulatory index due to low quantity of T helpers; 3) patients with chronic bronchitis and normal immunoregulatory index in the presence of normal or moderately reduced quantities of T helpers and T suppressors, and 4) patients with a low immunoregulatory index due to increased T suppressor subpopulation.