Faster and quantitatively higher thymic output in the early- versus late-transplantation groups.

Shown are the mean (± SEM) number of TRECs for patients receiving early (n = 19) and late (n = 55) transplantations. TRECs were measured before transplantation, 0 through 90 days, 91 through 181 days, 181 days to 1 year, 1 to 3 years, and 3 to 7 years after transplantation. Mean values were plotted at the midpoint of each interval; n = total number of individuals analyzed in each group over the last 19.2 years. Patients receiving transplants early had higher TREC values at 91 through 180 days and 181 days to 1 year after transplantation (P < .01). The mean TREC value peaked at 181 days to 1 year in those receiving transplants early and at 1 to 3 years in those receiving transplants late.