The possible role of circulating immune complexes in the deficiency of cell-mediated immunity in paracoccidioidomycosis.
1. The nature and extent of immune abnormalities was studied in 28 untreated patients with a chronic moderate form of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). 2. The patients presented hyporeactivity to skin tests, diminished lymphocyte transformation by mitogens such as phytohemagglutinin-P and concanavalin A and by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis protein antigen. They also presented peripheral blood leukocytosis but normal absolute numbers of T-cell and T-cell subsets. 3. The patients had increased serum levels of C3d, as well as high levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) detected by C1q-binding and protein A-binding assays. 4. There was a significant negative correlation between lymphocyte transformation by mitogens and CIC levels which suggested that CIC may be involved in the genesis of the depressed cell-mediated immunity in PCM patients.
Chequer-Bou-Habib
D
D
Departamento de Imunologia, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in the Immunology of Parasitic Disease, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Oliveira-Neto
M P
MP
Ferreira-da-Cruz
M F
MF
Galvão-Castro
B
B
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D015933:Complement C3d / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D015933:Complement C3d