FLOW CYTOMETRIC METHOD TO DETECT LYMPHOCYTE-TRANSFORMATION IN DRUG-ALLERGIC HEPATIC-INJURY

Plow cytometric methods for the analysis of incorporated bromodeoxyuri dine are extremely rapid and simple. We investigated whether these met hods were useful for detecting drug-allergic hepatic injury in 18 pati ents with drug-allergic hepatic injury, 18 healthy controls, and 9 non allergic patients receiving drugs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with drug solutions. Incorporation of bromodeoxyuridin e was detected after labeling with FITC, and S-phase cells were counte d by flow cytometry. Percentages of S-phase cells in drug-stimulated c ulture minus those in spontaneous cultures were less than 1% in both h ealthy controls and nonallergic patients receiving drugs. Taking 1% as the upper limit, 13 patients (72%) were judged as positive. After the in vitro addition of interleukin-2 two patients among five who had be en judged as negative were judged as positive. Lymphocyte transformati on test by flow cytometry may be useful in the diagnosis of drug-aller gic hepatic injury.