title: Polyclonal B cell activation in paracoccidioidomycosis. Polyclonal activation in paracoccidioidomycosis.
abstract: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is often associated with hypergammaglobulinemia and increased serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC). In order to investigate whether polyclonal B lymphocyte activation (PBA) is a current process in PCM, we measured the numbers of IgG secreting cells (IgG SC) in the peripheral blood of 16 patients and of 8 healthy controls. The numbers of IgG SC were found to be significantly elevated in PCM patients. We also observed increased serum levels of IgG, IgA and CIC. These data reflect an activation of B lymphocytes in PCM patients.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Imunologia, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in the Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chequer-Bou-Habib
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Daniel-Ribeiro
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Banic
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: do Valle
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Galvao-Castro
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G