Immunological features of kala-azar.
Serum immunoglobulins, complement C3c, percentage of T and B cells, and skin reactivity to Leishmania were studied in ten cases of kala-azar. Immunoglobulin G was increased in a majority of these patients. The C3c level in two out of six patients tested was lower than normal. The percentage of T cells in peripheral blood of nine patients tested was reduced and in seven of these patients the percentage of B cells was elevated. After a full course of anti-kala-azar therapy the percentage of T and B cells remained the same in five patients studied. All the patients showed a negative skin reaction when they were tested with Leishmania antigen.
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis
D003176:Complement C3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins