Thymus transplantation. Reconstitution of cellular immunity in a four-year-old patient with T-cell deficiency.
The case is reported of a 4-year-old girl affected with recurrent infections; anaemia, thrombocytopenia, haemorrhages and hepatosplenomegaly. Immunological investigations revealed a defect in cellular immunity related to the thymus-dependent system, hypergammaglobulinaemia (especially of class IgE), and very high titres of antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). After foetal thymus transplantation, correction of the immunological defect and significant clinical improvement were noted, as well as a decrease of IgE and EBV antibody titres.
D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000276:immunology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D012882:Skin Tests; D013300:Streptokinase; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000637:transplantation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D037102:Lectins; D013300:Streptokinase