Immunologic studies in infective endocarditis.
Some immunologic changes in patients with infective endocarditis were measured during therapy with antibiotics. T cells and C3 levels were low in 29 and 59% of the subjects, respectively. The circulating immune complexes were high and showed a negative correlation with serum C3 levels. Teichoic acid antibodies with titer of above 5 were generally seen only in cases of bacteremia in which endothelial damage had taken place. The antibody was specific for gram-positive organisms because it was negative in gram-negative bacteremia. The antibody showed a fall during treatment and hence could be used to monitor efficacy of antibiotic therapy.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D013682:Teichoic Acids / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003176:Complement C3; D013682:Teichoic Acids