[Status of interferon in genital infections]

The interferon status test characterizes the interferon (IFN) system function and the functional activity of IFN-producing cytokine cells. In contrast to the routine method, we used fetal calf (FCS) and autologous sera for evaluating the patients' leukocyte capacity to produce IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma. Blood samples from 30 women with genital infections caused by herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia, and Ureaplasma were tested. Autologous sera of 40% patients inhibited and of 6.6% patients stimulated the production of IFN-gamma in comparison with FCS. All the data are statistically reliable. 20.3% autologous sera contained acid-labile IFN-alpha. These results can be used for more effective immunocorrective therapy.