[T-cell immunity and immunomodulators in the comprehensive treatment of diffuse toxic goiter]

Age-specific and related to DTG severity lowering of T-lymphocyte count, active and autologous T-lymphocyte number, thymic serum activity were found in 83 DTG patients. These shifts made justified the use of immunomodulator tactivin in 32 DTG patients. The drug was administered in daily subcutaneous doses (1 ml of 0.01% solution) for 5 days. As a result, the T-cell immunity returned to normal values. The highest response occurred in young subjects with moderate hyperthyroidism. Because a single tactivin course failed to bring up a persistent effect, repeat courses are needed to achieve good clinical and immunologic responses.