title: [Effects of levamisole in the treatment of a group of patients with atopic asthma and depression cellular immunity].
abstract: We investigated the possibility of decreased cellular immunity (C.I.) in a substantial group of atopic asthmatic patients with respiratory tract infections during autumn and winter. Two-hundred and ten atopic asthmatic patients were selected, and the following tests for cellular immunity were performed. Skin tests with 11 bacterial and fungal antigens. Normal average value of the skin reactions is 2.5 mm. E rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. Normal value for patients of this age is 60 +/- 8%. Immunoglobulins A, G and M and complement fractions C3 and C4 were determined by radial immunodiffusion. IgE was determined using PRIST (Phadebas, Pharmacia). IgE was elevated in all except two of the patients. IgG, IgA and IgM, C3 and C4 were normal. Twenty five of the 85 patients had some depression in cellular immunity (decreased E rosettes and/or decreased skin reactions). Patients with depressed cellular immunity were given 2.5 mg Levamisol three times a week for three months. Their progress was evaluated clinically and immunologically and a positive correlation was found between clinical improvement and increased C.I. in 18 of the 25 patients. We consider Levamisol to be useful in approximately 8.5% of all asthmatic patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007978:Levamisole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012397:Rosette Formation
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D007978:Levamisole
vernacular_title: Efectos del levamisol en el tratamiento de un grupo de pacientes con asma atópica y depresión de la inmunidad celular.