The possible role of circulating immune complexes in the deficiency of cell-mediated immunity in paracoccidioidomycosis.

  • 1 January 1989
    • journal article
    • Vol. 22  (2) , 205-12
Abstract
1. The nature and extent of immune abnormalities was studied in 28 untreated patients with a chronic moderate form of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). 2. The patients presented hyporeactivity to skin tests, diminished lymphocyte transformation by mitogens such as phytohemagglutinin-P and concanavalin A and by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis protein antigen. They also presented peripheral blood leukocytosis but normal absolute numbers of T-cell and T-cell subsets. 3. The patients had increased serum levels of C3d, as well as high levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) detected by C1q-binding and protein A-binding assays. 4. There was a significant negative correlation between lymphocyte transformation by mitogens and CIC levels which suggested that CIC may be involved in the genesis of the depressed cell-mediated immunity in PCM patients.

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