[Local cellular and humoral immunity in patients with acute bronchitis]

Complex investigation of some factors of local immunity in acute bronchitis (AB) was conducted in order to determine the mechanisms of formation of immunodeficient states in respiratory system and their influence on disease course. Study of cellular link of pulmonary local defense (PLD) included investigation of total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), their viability, alveolar macrophages (AM), neutrophils, lymphocytes (T- and B- lymphocytes), phagocytic index and phagocytic number of AM and neutrophils, receptor system of AM and neutrophils. Examination of PLD humoral factors in BALF in the patients with AB consisted of determination of IgA, IgM, IgG and lysocin contents. The data obtained shows the dependence of state of local cellular and humoral immunity on AB clinical-and-etiologic form. The most expressed degree of cellular and humoral immunodeficiency is caused by staphylococcal infection. The role of dysfunction of cellular and humoral link of pulmonary immune defense in bronchoobstructive syndrome genesis was established. Restoration of cellular and humoral immunity indices in convalescents with AB lags behind the time of clinical recovery. The significant degree of immunodeficiency in the patients with AB lingering form can be a pathogenetic factor in chronization of inflammatory process in lungs.