IMMUNODEFICIENCY IN DOWN'S SYNDROME

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Abstract
''Natural'' antibody [Ab] titers to Escherichia coli O antigens of different serotypes and to rabbit red blood cells were determined in 86 subjects with Down''s syndrome (DS) and 79 mentally retarded but chromosomally normal controls ranging in age from 10 mo.-52 yr. Subjects in the 2 groups were matched for sex, age and socio-environmental conditions. Titers of both Ab, assessed by hemagglutination, were significantly lower in subjects with DS in the 1-5 yr old group. E. coli Ab transiently increased to normal values in subjects with DS during the second 5 yr of life, thereafter rapidly declining to levels significantly lower than those observed in controls. The titers of Ab to rabbit erythrocytes in subjects with Down''s syndrome showed a more variable course transiently approaching normal values in the 7-10 yr group and after 20 yr of age. These data are interpreted as further evidence for the existence of a congenital immunodeficiency in Down''s syndrome.