title: Does nonspecific T-lymphocyte stimulation of B lymphocytes occur during reversal reaction in borderline leprosy?
abstract: Serum immunoglobulins G, A, and M were estimated in 14 patients with border-line cases of leprosy at commencement of treatment and subsequently when they developed 'reversal reaction'. There was a significant increase in all immunoglobulin levels during the reaction, with a subsequent fall; the postreaction values for IgG and IgA were below the base-line figures. Additonal investigations in six patients indicated that the rise was a nonspecific one, not brought about by an increase in antimycobacterial antibodies. It seems likely that the rise in immunoglobulins during reaction is due to nonspecific T-lymphocyte stimulation of B lymphocytes.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M