Depressed cell-mediated immunity in megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency.
Cell-mediated immunity has been studied in patients with 1) megaloblastic anemia of folic acid deficiency, 2)megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy, or 3) iron-deficiency anemia. Using dinitrochlorobenzene skin tests,  phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte transformation, and rosette inhibition by antilymphocyte globulin, we have shown that cell-mediated immunity is depressed in megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency; this depression was reversed by folate treatment. Cell-mediated immunity was not impaired by iron-deficiency anemia. Suggested interactions between iron deficiency and folate metabolism were not clarified by these studies.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000353:Africa, Southern; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000276:immunology*; D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000276:immunology*; D000749:Anemia, Megaloblastic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; D012882:Skin Tests
D037102:Lectins; D005492:Folic Acid